Tata Motors, part of the Tata Group, one of India’s largest conglomerates, said it would decide on a new name for the hatchback after a few weeks. However, some analysts believe that the name of the vehicle and the timing of its unveiling could be affected by the recent spread of the Zika virus in several countries.
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Tata combined the words “zippy” and “car”, and came up with “Zica”.
The Indian company will unveil the hatchback – for now called Zica -at the Auto Expo set to begin near Delhi this week.
But with the sudden advent of the Zika virus, which is on the brink of being declared a global emergency by the World Health Organisation, Zica doesn’t sound quite as fun anymore.
Since Tata Motors is banking heavily on the Zica to drive volumes and increase footfall to their showrooms, the company fears that the Zika virus will have a negative impact on the brand.
World Health Organization officials said there may have been 1.5 million Zika virus cases in Brazil, where the outbreak started past year, and that the number of cases in the Americas could grow to 4 million within 12 months.
“We are evaluating the whole situation”. It is due to showcase the auto in the biennial New Delhi motor show starting Wednesday.
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It’s commanding worldwide attention because of an alarming connection between the virus and microcephaly, a neurological disorder that results in babies being born with abnormally small heads.
