Ambassadors that majestically ferried tourists are now a rare sight. Its drivers say they began switching their loyalty to sedans when customers began to display a marked reluctance to be driven around in these regal vehicles.
In Chennai airport alone, the fleet of 300 Ambassadors that once occupied the parking yard has been cut down by nearly half, with mainly Swift Dzire-2 cars taking their place.
However, there are those who still cannot forget the experience and hence, refuse to bow to the pressures of time.
ADVERTISEMENT
Fifty-six-year-old Nazeer Ahmed says though he has driven several cars during his 36-year-long career, his favourite remains the Ambassador. “Its comfort is unmatchable. Over thousands of trips, I have never had a single complaint or seen a passenger unhappy. It is only over the past one year that things are changing. But I will never move to another vehicle,” he says.
Some drivers say they switched to the Swift Dzire as it fetches more mileage and rides. S. Prabhakaran, a taxi driver at Chennai airport for the past five years, says, “I plan to switch to the sedan in about four months. My friends who drive the Dzire model make about Rs. 3,500 a day while with the Ambassador, I manage only Rs. 2,000. While the Ambassador gives a mileage of 16 km/hour, the Swift Dzire gives about 20-25 km/hour a day. Passengers also feel the Dzire has better air-conditioning and is more comfortable,” he says.
Obtaining spares and repairs has also become increasingly difficult, he adds.
ADVERTISEMENT
Another driver G. Krishnan says it is only foreign tourists who prefer the Ambassador.
“We don’t quite know why they like it, but I have heard them say this is much safer than the sedans. Last week, for instance, a Tata Indica hit my Ambassador. The other vehicle was damaged, but there was not even a dent on my car,” he says.
Despite a small but loyal set of fans, the larger trend is unmistakable. The regal taxis of yore are on their way out