Global NCAP rates Indian cars zero stars again

In 2014, Global NCAP had crash tested Tata Nano, Ford Figo, Hyundai i10 and Volkswagen Polo, all of which scored a zero star rating when it comes to adult protection safety. They have tested more Indian cars in the second leg of its crash tests after the 2014 debacle that made every Indian car manufacturer rethink the strategy when it comes to safety, including Volkswagen India.

The new set of cars that were tested include the Renault Kwid, Mahindra Scorpio, Maruti Suzuki Eeco and Celerio and Hyundai Eon, all of which sell in huge numbers in our market. All the 5 cars have scored a zero star safety rating and showed low levels of adult occupant protection, according to Global NCAP. The Renault Kwid was tested in three different versions, including one that had an airbag for the driver but it managed to fail on all counts.  All the cars scored two stars when it comes to child safety, except the Celerio, which scored just 1 star.

Commenting on the crash results, David Ward, Secretary General of Global NCAP said, “The latest #SaferCarsforIndia results show how important it is for cars to have a body shell that can remain stable in a crash. This is an absolutely crucial pre-requisite for occupant safety together with fitment at least of front air bags. It is very surprising that a manufacturer like Renault introduced the Kwid initially lacking this essential feature. Global NCAP strongly believes that no manufacturer anywhere in the world should be developing new models that are so clearly sub-standard. Car makers must ensure that their new models pass the UN’s minimum crash test regulations, and support use of an airbag.”

As a result of the Global NCAP, Renault has agreed to provide a fourth version of the Kwid that has been manufactured from May 9 onwards, which the car maker claims to be safer than the cars produced earlier.

The Government of India will be launching a safety assessment program for Indian manufacturers soon which is likely to be called as Bharat NCAP. Previously, Volkswagen had implemented airbags on all the variants of the Polo after the 2014 crash tests. Hopefully, the latest results would make the Indian car manufacturers serious about safety in cars.