Indian Independence Day 2017: Icons not-too-long ago, bestsellers no more

Aug 14, 2017 09:55 PM IST |

Here’s a list of a few once hugely popular brands that have now disappeared from the market place as well as public imagination.

Over the last seven decades, many Indian products and brands have been through the rough-and-tumble. Several once-iconic brands have faded into oblivion, edged out by competition, business busts and technological obsolescence.

Here’s a list of a few once hugely popular brands that have now disappeared from the market place as well as public imagination.

Premier Padmini

Premier Padmini was a car manufactured from 1973 to 1998 by Premier Automobiles Limited, under license from Fiat.

It continues to be used as a cab in cities like Mumbai.

Rajdoot Motorcycles

Hero Majestic Moped

The Hero Majestic Moped was one of the initial two-wheelers manufactured by Hero MotoCorp.

Dyanora TV

The Dyanora TV with a big picture tube and two speakers on either side was the first television set seen by many Indians.

Ambassador Cars

The Hindustan Ambassador one of India's most iconic cars. It was manufactured by the Hindustan Motors of India from 1958 to 2014. On 11 February 2017, Hindustan Motors sold the Ambassador brand, including the trademarks, for a consideration of Rs 80 crore. The car was extensively used by bureaucrats and ministers.

Maruti 800

Maruti 800 is a small city car manufactured by Maruti Suzuki from 1983 to 18 January 2014. With over 30 years of production, Maruti 800 was the second longest produced Indian car after the Hindustan Ambassador.

Yezdi Motorcycles

The Yezdi Motorcycle  produced in India by Ideal Jawa Ltd, in Mysore from 1978 to 1996.

Tata Sierra

The Tata Sierra, was a three-door sport utility vehicle produced by Tata Motors. With features such as adjustable steering, the car was far ahead of its time. The production ended in the year 2000.

Kinetic Luna

Kinetic Luna was a 50-cc moped produced by Kinetic Engineering from 1972 and to 2000.

Besides brands and scooter models like Vijay Super Scooters, Bajaj 150 Scooter, Big Fun Bubble Gum too perished with time.

Kelvinator refrigerators

Contessa Cars

The Contess was a car produced under the aegis of Hindustan Motors between 1984 and 2002. Contessa was popular among government officials, before the switch to Ambassador. The model also made it to a lot of Bollywood movies.

HMT watches

Founded in 1953 as a tool manufacturing company, HMT went to offer watches, tractors and more. The HMT watches were once symbolic of status and had a great fanfare. HMT watches shut down in 2014, after 53 long years serving as "timekeepers of the nation".

BSA Cycles

Illustrated Weekly

Illustrated Weekly once commanded a space in the best English-language magazine in India for over a century.

Onida TV

A leader in CRT television sets with tagline "Neighbour's envy, owner's pride", Onida failed to catch up with the changing times. It produces LED and LCD TV sets but none can match upto the calibre of the Onida TVs of the yore.

Gold Spot

The orange-flavoured aerated drink was one of the Parle products which gained popularity. It was as its tag line suggested "the Zing Thing" then.

Campa Cola

Campa Cola dominated the aerated drinks market before opening up of the Indian economy brought in brands like Coca-Cola and PepsiCo.

Rush

Double Seven beverage

Bajaj Chetak

First launched in 1972, the Bajaj Chetak was at one point the largest selling scooter in India. Though the twoo-wheeler is no longer in production, its legacy continues to endure.