Tata Motors rebrands Tata Zica to disconnect from 'Zika' virus - IAB Report

To be unveiled at the Auto Expo, tomorrow.

Tata Motors today issued a statement that the company has decided to re-brand the Tata Zica, as the name sounds like the deadly Zika virus outbreak that has affected many countries recently.

"Empathizing with the hardships being caused by the recent “Zika” virus outbreak across many countries, Tata Motors, as a socially responsible company, has decided to re-brand the car," it said. The Tata Zica was an acronym that was derived from the phrase 'Zippy Car' which is how the company wanted to define the hatchback.

Codenamed the Tata Kite, the Tata Zica will be publicly unveiled at the Auto Expo 2016 in Greater Noida tomorrow. The company notifies that the car on display at the expo will continue with the Zica branding, since the decision to change the name was last minute, and that the new name for the hatchback will be announced in a few weeks. The model will be launched in the country after the new name is revealed.

Also Read: Tata Zica-based sedan – Rendering

The hatchback replaces the Tata Indica in the personal car market, positioned beneath the Tata Bolt. It gets an all-new 1.2-litre three-cylinder Revotron petrol all-aluminium engine that produces 85 PS and 114 Nm, and an all-new 1.05-litre three-cylinder Revotorq diesel motor that generates 70 PS and 140 Nm. Both engines will initially come with five-speed manual gearboxes, while an AMT system will be introduced later.