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When the first wheels rolled into India

December 23, 2008

Also incorporated in Madras in 1948 was the Standard Motor Products of India Ltd, the Standard Motor Company of Coventry teaming up with Union Company (Motors) Ltd, Madras, to manufacture Standard cars. Production began in 1950 and the first Vanguard rolled out of the Standard Motors factory in Vandalur, a suburb of Madras, in 1951.

Addison's was the authorised agent in India for Nuffield products -- Morris, Wolseley and Riley cars and vans -- and for Chrysler's Plymouth, Dodge and De Soto cars and trucks.

In fact, Addison's was at the time assembling Dodge trucks and Simpson's was doing the same with Chevrolet trucks -- using imported chassis and CKD -- completely knocked down -- packs. In 1949, Addison's got permission to assemble Morris Minors and in November 1950, the first Morris car assembled by the company was driven off the assembly line.

Image: Rows of Ambassador cars are seen at the Hindustan Motors plant in Hindmotors, 40 km north of Kolkata. | Photograph: REUTERS/Jayanta Shaw