Letters: So long, Amby

This refers to the editorial "End of the road" (June 1). The Ambassador with its boxy shape is an aerodynamic anachronism. A car that managed to defy evolution with some occasional tweaking now faces extinction. A white "Amby" with tinted windows and a flashing red light on the roof is the car of many top leaders with a clear get-out-of-my-way message. Many ministers have been chauffeured around in the car's spacious back seat. It may not be out of place to say that India has been governed from the car.

Economic reforms did not phase out the car even when rivals such as Fiat, also known as Premier Padmini, and Standard Herald had to shut shop. Many owners of the car (and that includes myself) swear by its rugged build and how it is reliable to navigate the harsh roads of India. In fact, it has often been considered the motorised "the bullock cart of India". It can be easily repaired with low-priced spares. It will be sad to see the car going out of production.

H N Ramakrishna Novi, Michigan

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