It does not conform to the BNVSAP safety norms that come into effect this year, reportedly.
According to ET Auto, the Tata Indigo eCS - the first sub-4m sedan in India - will be discontinued this year. Reports of Tata's most popular sedan facing the axe due to the same reason emerged last year and in 2015.
Sources ET conferred with, attribute its discontinuation to the demands of the Bharat New Vehicle Safety Assessment Program (BNVSAP) norms that come into effect this year, which the Indigo eCS does not meet. Sudden withdrawal of the Indigo eCS will impact Tata's institutional and fleet sales, where the bulk of the customers come from.
One expects Tata Motors to introduce a successor to the eCS without delay, which is likely to be a version of the Tata Kite 5 sedan confirmed to launch this year. Rumoured to be branded Tata Viago or Tata Altigo, the sub-4m sedan could launch in well-specced grades for the private car buyer, as well as in basic, less-expensive variants for the commercial segment.
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The Kite 5 could offer the option of dual airbags, ABS, seatbelt reminders and tensioners, among other features, to meet the BNVSAP safety norms.
IAB awaits Tata Motors's response to this report.
[Source: ET Auto]
