Tata Motors Launches Kolkata Specific Indigo Taxi

Kolkata is the last place in the country where the Hindustan Motors Ambassador enjoys a substantial loyal customer base. Anyone who has been to the WB capital city will be aware of the fact that the majority of the city's taxis are Ambassadors.

Until now the Ambassador's monopoly over the Kolkata taxi segment has gone unchallenged, with Tata Motors and Maruti vehicles forming but a fraction of the taxi fleet. This could slowly change if Tata Motors is successful with its latest sales strategy.

The Hindu reports that Tata Motors has launched a version of its Indigo sedan, specifically targeted towards Kolkata's taxi drivers. This version of the Indigo is essentially a stripped down version of the regular Indigo, without power steering and air-conditioning.

The bare bones Indigo will be offered by Tata Motors for INR 4.97 lakhs, about the same as HM Ambassador. When it comes to the engine though, the Indigo has an advantage over the Ambi. The Indigo has a Euro IV compliant unit, which is more efficient than the BS4 engine powering the Ambassador.

According to Tata Motors, this efficiency translates to a daily saving of Rs 350 on an average daily run of 180 km. In addition, Tata Motors has on offer, an attractive finance scheme, where an old car can be exchanged for a new Indigo, without having to pay any down payment.

The only advantage HM has to offer with the Ambassador is its legendary reliability and low cost of maintenance. Also, the unsurpassed interior space should also count for something.

Tata Motors certainly has chalked up a sound strategy here. Nevertheless, it will not be a cakewalk for the Indigo. The city and the Ambassador share a deep bond. So much so that the Ambassador is as much a part of the city's culture as the tram and the cycle rickshaws.