Tata to rename Zica hatchback as Zika virus spreads

Tata Motors will be changing the name of its new Zica hatchback. This comes after the spread of the Zika virus was declared as a global emergency by the World Health Organization. The Zica has just been launched at the New Delhi Motor Show.

READ: WHO declares Zika global emergency

While the Zica will be available initially only in India, where there has been no reported outbreak of the Zika virus, Tata is taking precautions with its name. A company official acknowledged that with global communications, it wants to avoid any negative association for the model.

Zica was meant to stand for Zippy Car. The Zica features Tata’s new design theme called (perhaps unfortunately, too) “Impact.” It will have a choice of gasoline and diesel engines called Revotron and Revotorq, with built-in Eco and City drive modes. The Zica comes with stability control, ABS brakes and dual airbags.

The Zica is the subject of a major launch from Tata Motors, with a reported multi-million dollar ad campaign to introduce the car. Tata hired football star Lionel Messi to be the pitchman for the car.