The Tata Zica Hatchback (aka Kite)

Shadowspy · 13th August 2015, 11:51

The car looks great but looking at what has happened with Zest, one can't help but feel a little pessimistic.
Zest was a good car and should have sold really well. It should have turned around the fortunes of Tata. But for some reason consumers aren't keen on Tata cars. There are so many better options from Maruti/Hyundai which are equally value for money plus you get great service.
I honestly feel that even if the product is decent, Tata's brand is not strong enough for it to be a winner.

hybridpetrol · 13th August 2015, 11:55

If a car like Zest does not sell in any respectable number, what else can we expect from this car? Tata will load the car with all the latest equipments that any car buyer will wish to have, but still the car would fail miserably.

This is not discouraging Tata for being Indian manufacturer, but it is appalling to see they are not able to figure out the root cause of the problem and correct it. And the very obvious reasons for their back to back failure is their A.S.S and their who-cares sales personnel, combined with the Taxi image. Market leader Maruti is there everywhere in the country for case study of how A.S.S and Sales teams should be.

Another important point - Even though their Indicas and Indigos continue to sell some numbers, it is time they wrap up and make these models a thing of past. As long as they have these cars on sales, these cars will still make the Tatas "Indica Cab sellers" and not contemporary car manufacturers.
Indica looks in any car, or the name "Indica" as prefix / sufix will spoil the prospects of sales. See how the very good Bolt & Aria sales are ruined because of the Indica looks.
Hope good sense prevails, and they dont name their Kite as "Indica Kite".

Dr.Suraj · 13th August 2015, 15:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by hybridpetrol

Indica looks in any car, or the name "Indica" as prefix / sufix will spoil the prospects of sales. See how the very good Bolt & Aria sales are ruined because of the Indica looks.
Hope good sense prevails, and they dont name their Kite as "Indica Kite".

The Indica or Indigo prefix has not been used since 3 years now.

The Indica 'brand or platform' was Ratan Tata's dream. His vision was to make it a global recall brand like 'Corolla' for Toyota.

Infact even the Indigo word was dropped when the Manza came with the Club Class facelift.

motorworks · 13th August 2015, 17:08

One aspect that really stands out with the kite--No indica hangover! The vista and even the bolt have a very strong resemblence to the original indica and that is a big turn off considering that in today's market taxi means indica. So even if this car shares some parts or even the same platform, it still looks distinctly different and there would be no preconceived notions.

hybridpetrol · 13th August 2015, 17:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by motorworks

it still looks distinctly different and there would be no preconceived notions.

Agreed! A crucial aspect of making a car success is in bringing the customer to the showroom without any preconceived notions. The increased footfalls to showrooms will only increase the sales.
Resemblance to an old car with poor image has sealed the fate of Bolt.
This emotional baggage seems to be not there with Kite.
Hope Tata makes the most of it, by increasing the sales presence and follow ups in a timely manner.

aditya79india · 18th August 2015, 20:57

Tata Kite Hatchback Launch In October, Pre-Production Commences

Dr.Suraj · 18th August 2015, 23:59

Finally some good news!

Much awaited.

I am probably going to pre-book this one when it launches.

I promised my wife I would get her this instead of the Nano GenX
(which we both fell in love with and is quite frankly a brilliant package)
- but I wanted airbags. That's all)

So far the kite seems to be ticking all the boxes.

Nitpicking already:
1. Did not like the name Glade. Kite is better
2. Fixed head rests in the front seats
3. Pinch / pull up type door locks. Too old. And were prone to issues on the old Nano. Hope they have rectified that.

This is just Nitpicking like I said.

I will be going for the top-end petrol version.
In white / red/ black.

Let's see what other surprises Tata has in store.

aditya79india · 19th August 2015, 13:58

Also add the new 120bhp engine from the Bolt Sports on cents and Zap the Punto Abarth and Polo GT

Dr.Suraj · 22nd August 2015, 00:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by aditya79india

Also add the new 120bhp engine from the Bolt Sports on cents and Zap the Punto Abarth and Polo GT

Indeed ! Indeed !

Wifey loves Zest.
Loved the Indica V2.
'likes' the Bolt - but would rather drive the Zest herself.

Feels the Bolt looks visually heavy.
Definitely not giving her a 120 Bhp monster.

She is still stuck on the Nano.
I keep showing her every update on this thread - making her wait for the Kite !

It better be good !
Or else ...

(horse = me)

balajisv · 22nd August 2015, 01:45

This poster is doing rounds in Whatsapp. Not sure why would some one stoop down to such levels?
The car in the pic is Renault Captur and not Tata Kite.

Latheesh · 22nd August 2015, 10:43

May be some competitor spreading fake news to keep the customer expectation very high.

swiftnfurious · 22nd August 2015, 15:10

And the morons don't even know that 'Kite' is the project name? Saves TATA as there will never be a TATA Kite at all. So the expectations will never turn into disappointment.

Honestly, quite bad for a company trying to revive it's fortunes.

pranjal1984 · 22nd August 2015, 15:45

I got the same WhatsApp msg from the Director of a Tata dealership in Guwahati last night. It is officially circulated from Tata Motors and not by any competitors.

swiftnfurious · 23rd August 2015, 12:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by pranjal1984

I got the same WhatsApp msg from the Director of a Tata dealership in Guwahati last night. It is officially circulated from Tata Motors and not by any competitors.

Found this Renault Captur image on net. Not sure why would TATA officially do such a job?! The above image is just mirrored to change the angle & the roof colour changed.

The Tata Zica Hatchback (aka Kite)-c__data_users_defapps_appdata_internetexplorer_temp_saved-images_renaultcapturusp102.jpg

The Tata Zica Hatchback (aka Kite)-c__data_users_defapps_appdata_internetexplorer_temp_saved-images_1440188035867.jpg

Image Copyright - rightful owners

Edit: Adding the circulated Kite pics for better comparo

Dr.Suraj · 23rd August 2015, 13:34

Something is grossly wrong about this...

1. It's not going to be called Kite
Or is it?

2. This is unlike Tata. At any level. Be it type of advertising / colours used

3. It does not even seem to be a proper ad!

4. Some moron somewhere got the image and is now forwarding it making an absolute mockery of all the people who continue to forward it.

Is it someone trying to cash in on the hype via SEO?

Or is it some malicious intent?

Or just a big big goof up by the marketing agency guys?
Like those Ford Figo ads?

13th August 2015, 11:51	#181
Shadowspy Newbie Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Bangalore Posts: 18 Thanked: 21 Times	re: The Tata Zica Hatchback (aka Kite) The car looks great but looking at what has happened with Zest, one can't help but feel a little pessimistic. Zest was a good car and should have sold really well. It should have turned around the fortunes of Tata. But for some reason consumers aren't keen on Tata cars. There are so many better options from Maruti/Hyundai which are equally value for money plus you get great service. I honestly feel that even if the product is decent, Tata's brand is not strong enough for it to be a winner.
	() Thanks

13th August 2015, 11:55	#182
hybridpetrol BHPian Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Coimbatore Posts: 703 Thanked: 903 Times	re: The Tata Zica Hatchback (aka Kite) If a car like Zest does not sell in any respectable number, what else can we expect from this car? Tata will load the car with all the latest equipments that any car buyer will wish to have, but still the car would fail miserably. This is not discouraging Tata for being Indian manufacturer, but it is appalling to see they are not able to figure out the root cause of the problem and correct it. And the very obvious reasons for their back to back failure is their A.S.S and their who-cares sales personnel, combined with the Taxi image. Market leader Maruti is there everywhere in the country for case study of how A.S.S and Sales teams should be. Another important point - Even though their Indicas and Indigos continue to sell some numbers, it is time they wrap up and make these models a thing of past. As long as they have these cars on sales, these cars will still make the Tatas "Indica Cab sellers" and not contemporary car manufacturers. Indica looks in any car, or the name "Indica" as prefix / sufix will spoil the prospects of sales. See how the very good Bolt & Aria sales are ruined because of the Indica looks. Hope good sense prevails, and they dont name their Kite as "Indica Kite".
	() Thanks

13th August 2015, 17:08	#184
motorworks Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,805 Thanked: 4,076 Times View My Garage	re: The Tata Zica Hatchback (aka Kite) One aspect that really stands out with the kite--No indica hangover! The vista and even the bolt have a very strong resemblence to the original indica and that is a big turn off considering that in today's market taxi means indica. So even if this car shares some parts or even the same platform, it still looks distinctly different and there would be no preconceived notions.
	() Thanks

18th August 2015, 20:57	#186
aditya79india BHPian Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: DELHI Posts: 370 Thanked: 515 Times	re: The Tata Zica Hatchback (aka Kite) Tata Kite Hatchback Launch In October, Pre-Production Commences
	(3) Thanks

18th August 2015, 23:59	#187
Dr.Suraj BHPian Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Mumbai Posts: 724 Thanked: 1,775 Times View My Garage	Finally some good news! Much awaited. I am probably going to pre-book this one when it launches. I promised my wife I would get her this instead of the Nano GenX (which we both fell in love with and is quite frankly a brilliant package) - but I wanted airbags. That's all) So far the kite seems to be ticking all the boxes. Nitpicking already: 1. Did not like the name Glade. Kite is better 2. Fixed head rests in the front seats 3. Pinch / pull up type door locks. Too old. And were prone to issues on the old Nano. Hope they have rectified that. This is just Nitpicking like I said. I will be going for the top-end petrol version. In white / red/ black. Let's see what other surprises Tata has in store.
	(4) Thanks

19th August 2015, 13:58	#188
aditya79india BHPian Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: DELHI Posts: 370 Thanked: 515 Times	re: The Tata Zica Hatchback (aka Kite) Also add the new 120bhp engine from the Bolt Sports on cents and Zap the Punto Abarth and Polo GT
	() Thanks

22nd August 2015, 01:45	#190
balajisv BHPian Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Bangalore Posts: 408 Thanked: 348 Times	This poster is doing rounds in Whatsapp. Not sure why would some one stoop down to such levels? The car in the pic is Renault Captur and not Tata Kite. Attached Thumbnails
	(4) Thanks

22nd August 2015, 10:43	#191
Latheesh Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: CNN/BLR Posts: 4,243 Thanked: 10,090 Times	re: The Tata Zica Hatchback (aka Kite) May be some competitor spreading fake news to keep the customer expectation very high.
	() Thanks

22nd August 2015, 15:10	#192
swiftnfurious Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Chennai Posts: 7,204 Thanked: 9,662 Times	re: The Tata Zica Hatchback (aka Kite) And the morons don't even know that 'Kite' is the project name? Saves TATA as there will never be a TATA Kite at all. So the expectations will never turn into disappointment. Honestly, quite bad for a company trying to revive it's fortunes.
	() Thanks

22nd August 2015, 15:45	#193
pranjal1984 BHPian Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Guwahati Posts: 177 Thanked: 99 Times	re: The Tata Zica Hatchback (aka Kite) I got the same WhatsApp msg from the Director of a Tata dealership in Guwahati last night. It is officially circulated from Tata Motors and not by any competitors.
	() Thanks

23rd August 2015, 13:34	#195
Dr.Suraj BHPian Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Mumbai Posts: 724 Thanked: 1,775 Times View My Garage	Something is grossly wrong about this... 1. It's not going to be called Kite Or is it? 2. This is unlike Tata. At any level. Be it type of advertising / colours used 3. It does not even seem to be a proper ad! 4. Some moron somewhere got the image and is now forwarding it making an absolute mockery of all the people who continue to forward it. Is it someone trying to cash in on the hype via SEO? Or is it some malicious intent? Or just a big big goof up by the marketing agency guys? Like those Ford Figo ads?
	(3) Thanks