Premium

This is an archive article published on September 23, 2006

Autorickshaw Alert

The ubiquitous autorickshaw has travelled a long way, literally. But even as the US and UK enjoy the tuktuk8217;s kitschy and cute avatar, they are dealing with the vehicle8217;s other Indian trait8212;unpunctuality

India8217;s inspiring imports to the West are no more restricted to beauty queens, Bollywood, bindis, bangles and brocades.sup3;Even something as unstylish and quotidian as an autorickshaw has started to make a style statement.

Check out Florida8217;s Ronald Flynn8217;s latest passion for instance. Every time the debonair 73-year old makes his weekly trip to the grocery store, he invites looks that are a mix of amusement and amazement. And it8217;s all because the retired flight control despatcher for Federal Express makes those short drives in a bright red coloured autorickshaw that he drives himself. Incidentally, this Barefoot Bay resident also owns a Chevy and Cadillac.

A few thousand miles away, newsmaker and columnist Emma Parker-Bowles recently did a test run in Brighton, UK, on their tuktuks for her column in one of Britain8217;s leading tabloids. You guessed it. The tuktuks happen to be none other than our humble autorickshaws imported from Pune and taken to UK for commercial use by politician-cum-businessman Dominic Ponniah in July.

The response to what we thought were modest machines have been far more flattering than what they have ever received in the country of their origin. Parker Bowles termed the polka dotted version of the vehicle she traveled in as the 8220;coolest thing to drive in the summers8221;.

8220;I love driving the autorickshaw around even if people react with a 8216;What the hell is that?8217; I realise that in India it8217;s used for business but I have great fun with it,8221; says the man who had gone looking for a scooter online but then decided on the autorickshaw when he chanced upon it on the net.

The sight is a little less rare in Brighton in UK, though, with a dozen of these tuktuks running commercially on their roads. The idea took root in Dominic8217;s mind when he visited Pune and was fascinated by the dexterity with which he saw the autorickshaws cut through the city8217;s gridlock. Convinced that he had found the answer to Britain8217;s congestion woes, he had them painted in various shades and had the CNG-run machines fitted out with additional features like seat belts, impact protection and head rests. Now two months since the tuktuks first started to ferry passengers at a rate of pound;2.50 for adults and pound;1.50 for children, the service, says Ponniah, has been a success.sup3;Their novelty, he says, is attracting both regular commuters and tourists.

So, are these great Indian imports slated to sweep over the Western world? In other words, are they set to replace the Ambassador as an unmistakable stereotype of India?

Story continues below this ad

Adil Darukhanwalla, editor, Car India says: 8220;The Ambassador was a symbol of India but it was never a success abroad. Foreigners in fact were quite horrified by the shape and size of it. The autorickshaw is obviously much more popular.8217;8217;sup3;Baja Auto executive director Sanjeev Bajaj voices his doubts, saying: 8220;Basically, these vehicles are for third world countries.8217;8217;

Though dealers in Florida are reluctant to reveal the sales figures of these vehicles that started being imported to the US just two years ago, Ponniah is brimming over with confidence about the fleet he imported. He also agrees that for many, the autorickshaw is an unmistakable symbol of India. 8220;Everyone here comments on how it reminds them of India ,8221; he says.

Well, be warned: There may be much more to the statement than meets the eye. For, according to latest reports, the autos have apparently started to imitate yet another typically Indian quality8212;unpunctuality. Hauled up by the British administration for often being late, the autos have to now apparently answer a quasi-legal enquiry into their timings.

Well, if you ask for a touch of India, you get it with all trappings intact!

Auto-rewind

Story continues below this ad

The autorickshaws first came into existence in 1961 when Bajaj Auto produced some 650 vehicles in the first year. Till date, the company has sold over 3.1 million vehicles. Interestingly, 35 percent of the vehicles produced per annum are exported to countries like Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Sudan, Egypt, Peru, Mexico and Gautemala. The auto has seen many avtars8212;from diesel to petrol to four-stroke engine versions and from a black and yellow body to a green and yellow one designed for Delhi. Along with Bajaj Auto, Piagio, Mahindra and Mahindra also make three wheelers in India now.

A bumpy ride

After their export to the West, even as the controversy on their unpunctuality and skepticism regarding the safety of autorickshaws erupts in UK, the Chavrolet model of the tuktuks, designed to look like the famous Burberry check, was forced off the streets of Brighton and Hove a few days ago, after running into legal problems with the international fashion house. Burberry said the pattern was too close to their company8217;s patent design. The vehicle was withdrawn and the dispute resolved amicably.

Sunanda Mehta

Sunanda Mehta is the Resident Editor of The Indian Express in Pune. She is a distinguished journalist, columnist, and author with over three decades of experience in the media industry. Educational background: A merit-lister in her 12 th in CBSE (5th rank in Humanities) Sunanda stood first in History in the Board for which she was awarded the Dr Tarachand Gold Medal. She is a triple-graduate with a Bachelor of Arts (History Honours) from Lady Shri Ram College, New Delhi, Bachelor of Education, Delhi University (on scholarship) and Bachelor of Communication and Journalism, University of Pune. Professional Background Role: As Resident Editor, she oversees the Pune edition of The Indian Express, managing local news coverage, investigative features, and editorial direction for the city. Author: She is an accomplished author, known for her biographies. Her notable books include: The Extraordinary Life and Death of Sunanda Pushkar published by Pan Macmillan (2019). The book was long-listed for the Atta Galatta award for nonfiction and Auther award for best debut author. Majestic Musings - Translation of poems from 100 year old Badshaian from Punjabi to English (2023) Behind the Big Screen- the untold stories of child actors published by Bloomsbury India (2024) Focus Areas: While Sunanda has reported on various subjects from civic to political to investigative and crime, her forte remains long-form human-interest stories, heritage and gender issues. Core Column: "Against All Odds" Sunanda curates and writes a signature series titled "Against All Odds," which profiles individuals who have overcome significant personal, medical, or professional challenges. Recent notable articles (2025) The Story of Dr. Harinder Dhaliwal (July 2025): A Pune AFMC topper who became a neurologist in Canada despite becoming paraplegic. Jayoo Patwardhan’s Cancer Journey (Jan 2025): How the National Film Award-winning designer defeated cancer. Partha Iyengar’s Emergency mid-air (Aug 2025): The story of how Gartner’s India head survived a massive heart attack during a long-haul flight. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) Her recent reportage continues to explore deep personal narratives and Pune’s socio-environmental landscape: 1. Personal Narratives & Closure "'I grieved for him 10 years after his murder, found closure to unsolved case'" (Dec 14, 2025): A poignant feature on Vineet Alurkar, son of the late Pune music legend Suresh Alurkar, and how digitizing his father’s collection helped him heal. "A 40-day journey home: how Christopher Benninger's partner gave him the gift of memories" (Nov 23, 2025): A moving tribute to the late acclaimed architect Christopher Benninger and his final trip to the US. "'After 38 years I finally met my biological mother'" (Sept 28, 2025): Chronicling the journey of an adopted daughter from Zurich searching for her roots in Pune. 2. Civic & Heritage "'Vetal Tekdi belongs to common citizens'" (Oct 20, 2025): An interview with environmental activist Dr. Sushma Date on the community-led protection of Pune’s vital green lungs. "'Military village' Apshinge recalls living through war days" (Aug 12, 2025): A report from a village in Maharashtra where nearly every household has a member in the armed forces, focusing on their legacy and current anxieties. 3. High-Profile Commentary & Investigations "Malegaon blast acquittals: 'I was expecting this verdict'" (July 31, 2025): An interview with former special public prosecutor Rohini Salian following the controversial acquittals. "Grounded, license cancelled... she decided to soar higher" (March 30, 2025): The story of Dr. Harpreet A De Singh, Air India’s first woman pilot from 1988, and her transition to leadership and meditation. Signature Style Sunanda Mehta is known for her empathetic storytelling. Unlike standard news reporting, her features often read like narrative non-fiction, focusing on the psychological and emotional resilience of her subjects. One of her articles in The Indian Express titled 'The Quality of Mercy' was converted into a film Rubaru Roshini produced by actor Aamir Khan. She is a strong advocate for Pune's heritage and environment, frequently using her platform to amplify citizen-led movements. X (Twitter): @sunandamehta and @ExpressPune ... Read More

Live Blog

PHOTOS

In pics: From concept supercars to electronic SUV's: Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025 was all about innovation

In Pics: From Concept Supercars to Electric SUVs Innovation at Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025