In line with efforts to revamp its brand image, Tata Motors has decided that it will not to sell its latest passenger cars to taxi operators, according to Mayank Pareek, President, Passenger Vehicles Business Unit.

Addressing media persons at the launch of the Bolt in Chennai, Pareek said the aggressively priced hatchback packing high-end features targets the youth.

Pareek said the company has decided that it will not allow the hatchback or compact sedan, Zest launched last year, to be used as taxis. This is part of its new approach to shoring its brand image.

Tata Motors’ Indica and the Indigo are popular among cab and taxi fleet operators. One in three of these cars sold are used as taxis. The company has consciously decided against registering the Bolt and the Zest for taxi use, he said.

Bolt offers many firsts for this segment with focus on safety and comfort including airbags, antilock brakes, multimode drives and Harman infotainment systems.

With Bolt the company has entered one of the largest segments in passenger cars with an annual market of about 1.2 million units out of the total car market of about 2.65 million units. Over the next five years Tata Motors will launch two new cars annually to pack its product base with modern offerings in every segment, he said.

Bolt is on offer in Chennai at a launch price starting at ₹4.43 lakh for the petrol version and ₹5.52 lakh for the diesel version.

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