New Delhi - Tata is in the process of launching a brand new budget hatch in India and it doesn't look all that bad in our opinion. Except for one unforeseen glitch that has just resulted in a sudden naming about-turn.
Notwithstanding the minor spelling difference, its original name, Zica, is shared with the fast-spreading Zika virus, which the World Health Organisation has just declared a global emergency. On Tuesday Tata announced that it would rename the car, but did not say what the new name would be.
Tata Motors came up with the Zica name for its new hatch, which replaces the Indica, a few months ago and according to spokeswoman Minari Shan, it's actually a combination of the words ' zi ppy' and ' ca r'. "We picked the name when there was no such issue and had even showcased it to the media in December."
On Tuesday Tata released another statement confirming the rename: "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".
The Zika virus is transmitted by mosquitos and has appeared in more than 21 countries in the Americas and Europe. The virus is thought to cause birth malformations through mother-to-child transmission.
WHO officials said there may have been 1.5 million Zika virus cases in Brazil, where the outbreak started last year, and that the number of cases in the Americas could grow to 4 million within 12 months.
IOL & DPA