Ambassador (United States)

Ambassador was an automobile brand produced by the Yellow Cab Manufacturing Company from 1921 to 1925 in Chicago, Illinois. The brand emerged following Yellow Cab's acquisition of the Shaw Motor Car Company in early 1921. The initial models, produced in 1921, 1922, and 1923, were essentially rebranded Shaw cars equipped with a Continental 6-T L-head engine. This strategy was part of Yellow Cab's effort to utilize existing Shaw parts, although sales were slow due to limited stock.

In 1923, plans were made for a smaller Ambassador model intended for general sale, but these plans were ultimately abandoned. Instead, the company shifted its focus towards developing a smaller taxicab that could also serve rental purposes. The Ambassador D-1 was introduced in late 1924, but shortly thereafter, the strategy for taxis was discarded. John Hertz, who was overseeing operations, decided to market the car primarily for rental, allowing customers to lease it for various durations.

The vehicle was later renamed the Hertz, reflecting John Hertz's influence, and it became available for both lease and private ownership. Following the acquisition of Yellow Cab by General Motors, the Hertz model continued production until late 1927. Approximately 4,000 units were manufactured, predominantly in sedan form, with some available as open touring cars.