Tata Motors delays launch of Bolt hatchback to 2015

Tata Motors has pushed the launch of its new Bolt hatchback to January 2015, as it currently has its hands full with the Zest. The thunderous response received for the Zest can be understood by the fact that this compact sedan has already received 10,000 bookings within two weeks of launch. In this manner, the company will be able to devote complete time and attention to the sale of the Zest.

Incidentally, both the Zest and its hatchback sibling Bolt were showcased together at the beginning of 2014. However, Tata Motors chose to not launch the models together so that both products do not overshadow each other. From demands for the DZire, Xcent and the Zest, it is clear that present buyers are more keen on purchasing compact sedans rather than hatches.

Tata Motors is also not the first company to be following this new strategy of launching the sedan first. India's largest passenger vehicle manufacturer Maruti was the first to adopt it with the Swift and new DZire models. Honda too followed suit with the Brio and Amaze which share the same underpinnings. Finally, South Korean manufacturer Hyundai first launched the Grand i10 in the country and then followed it up with the Xcent compact sedan a few months later, both of which are similar to each other.