Tata Kite spied testing; to be pitted against Maruti Celerio?

New Delhi: Domestic auto major Tata Motors is working on a new small car called 'Kite' with an aim to regain its lost market position in the small car segment ruled by Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai Motors, Ford India and other companies.

As per reports, the car has been spied testing showing its air-conditioning vents and a new steering wheel. Reports claim that the Kite will get Zest’s steering wheel to ensure easier handling. The car will also be powered by Revotron petrol engine.

Speculations are also rife in the media that its straight competitor will be Maruti's newly launched Celerio. Though the Kite will also compete with Hyundai i10, Datsun Go and Chevrolet Beat in the range.

The small car segment was once ruled by Tata Motor's Indica. The new car is set to launch in 2015 and will be rolled out from the Sanand plant, Gujarat.

It is expected that the Kite will use up majority of the company’s production capacity in the Sanand plant. Kite will be the second tallboy from Tata Motors after Tata Nano.

A lot of investment was made by Tata Motors for the Sanand plant for the assembly of Nano, which Tata Nano failed to achieve. This is also a major reason for the company to introduce a mass production car.