Zika virus forces India's Tata Motors to change car's name

NEW DELHI (AP) - The Zika virus has hit India's Tata Motors, which has decided to rebrand a soon-to-be launched hatchback vehicle which was to have been called Zica, an abbreviation of "Zippy Car."

The car is to be shown for the first time on Wednesday at the Auto Expo 2016 on New Delhi's outskirts.

Tata Motors said in a statement Tuesday that the car would carry the Zica nameplate during the exhibition, but a new name will be announced in a few weeks.

It said the company decided to rebrand the car to empathize with the hardships caused by the outbreak of the Zika virus in many countries.

The World Health Organization has declared the Zika virus a global emergency because of its explosive spread across the Americas.

The Tata Group is one of India's largest and best-known conglomerates. Its more than 100 companies include Tata Motors, owner of the Jaguar-Land Rover brand; Tata Steel; Tata Consultancy Services; Tata Beverages, the maker of Tetley brand tea; and holdings in insurance, investment and telecommunications.