Tata Bolt top trims likely to be top sellers

Tata Motors may have launched the Bolt hatchback in four trim levels but the manufacturer expects the top two trim levels, namely XMS and XT, to be the biggest sellers. This would be largely on account of buyer interest in their safety equipment and more feature-packed infotainment system. Speaking to Autocar India, Mayank Pareek, president, passenger vehicles business unit, Tata Motors, said, “The top versions’ safety features and infotainment system are most exciting to the customer.” He expects demand for the Bolt to be skewed in favour of higher-spec models as is the case on the Zest. As per the company, 60 percent of Zest sales come from the high-spec models.

Safety is gaining prominence in buying decisions if sales trends for the Zest are anything to go by. Many customers are opting for the XMS and XT variants solely for their inclusion of dual front airbags and anti-lock brakes as standard. Tata believes this is an important reason why the higher trims of the Bolt could draw the majority of buyers.

As for features, save for the base XE, all other versions of the Bolt get the Harman-developed and Bluetooth-enabled infotainment system. However, the top-spec XT version adds a touchscreen, SMS readout, phone-based navigation, video playback (via an SD card) and voice commands. The system on the XT can also be used to operate the climate control. That the infotainment system is generating interest in its own right is a fillip to Tata’s new strategy to equip its cars with latest connectivity and entertainment hardware. As things stand, the Tata Bolt is the best equipped cars in its segment and that’s a fact unlikely to be lost on buyers.