Tata should axe eV2 and eCS by 2017

Tata Motors is most likely to discontinue two of its best sellers –  the Indica eV2 and Indigo eCs by 2017. This move is likely to occur owing to the crash test norms that would be adopted by the automotive industry in 2017, in India.

The current Indica eV2 and Indigo eCS are now dated and also do not conform to international crash standards. Tata Motors will have to choose from either discontinuing the products or upgrade them to meet crash test norms, which calls for considerable investments and will not be feasible. Tata already are in the process of getting the Kite (codename) ready for launch.

The Kite will act as a replacement to the present generation Indica eV2 and a sedan based on it, would replace the Indigo eCS. The Kite is based on the Indica platform, however with heavy modifications and also would meet the present crash test norms. Tata would continue to sell the eV2 and eCS in the commercial segment till 2017 and will bring in the new Kite products as personal car options.

In 2010, Tata Motors updated the Indigo CS with a new 1.4 litre CR4 turbocharged common-rail diesel engine, to call it Indigo eCS. The Indigo CS (compact-sedan) was launched in 2008, to appeal to buyers wanting a sedan at the price of a hatchback. The Indigo CS was a sub-metre car, with a length of 3998 mm. Tata Motors launched the Indica eV2 in 2011, as an upgrade to the Indica, with a ‘CR4’ engine and a class-leading ARAI certified mileage of 25 km/l. The car was an improvement over the earlier model in terms of performance, fuel efficiency and refinement.