Tata Motors, which has been witnessing decline in sales, on Monday, unveiled two new models — the sedan Zest and hatchback Bolt. These will be launched in India in 2014.
The company said the two cars are a result of collaborative design inputs from the Tata Motors design studios in Pune, Coventry (UK) and Turin (Italy).
Zest will be available in both petrol and diesel versions Bolt will come with a petrol engine only. The cars will be powered by the company’s new Revotron engine series, and are based on the company’s enhanced X1 platform, on which the existing Vista and Manza models are built. The diesel variant of Zest will come with an F-Tronic 90 PS powered engine.
“These cars have been engineered for global markets, through global teams across India, the U.K. and Korea to set new standards in their respective segments,” Tata Motors President Passenger Vehicles Ranjt Yadav told reporters here. With these two new vehicles, the company would like to increase its market share, he added.
“These cars will compliment our existing portfolio, and even if it cannibalises a bit, it is okay, as, overall, we are looking at increasing volumes,” Mr. Yadav said. After launching the cars in India, the company will be introducing the products in other global markets.
Asked if the company would phase out Indica and Indigo, he said, “Both Indica and Indigo are very strong brands, and will continue to sell in the market.”
Zest and Bolt would be produced at company’s Pune plant in the first phase and meet Indian safety standards. “The cars will adhere to country-specific regulatory conditions, whenever we start exporting the cars,” Mr. Yadav said.
