The three highlighted vehicles from India’s top automaker Maruti Suzuki performed poorly in the most recent round of crash tests undertaken by Global NCAP, a UK-based road safety NGO. Four Indian vehicles were evaluated. The findings have sparked a new discussion over the reliability of these Global NCAP independent tests as well as the safety of vehicles marketed by foreign manufacturers in India.
The Mahindra Scorpio-N, the only non-Maruti Suzuki vehicle on the list of the newest cars, received five stars for adult occupant protection and three stars for child occupant protection.
Suzuki’s entry-level S-Presso and luxury hatchback Ignis both received only one star for adult occupant protection and zero stars for child occupant protection, in contrast to the well-known mid-range hatchback Swift, which received one star each for adult and child occupant protection. The three Maruti Suzuki vehicles were tested in accordance with their minimal safety requirements, which included two frontal airbags and an anti-lock braking system. None of the three models offered side curtain airbags as standard or optional equipment.
The sole purpose of the Global NCAP ratings, which go above and beyond regulatory criteria, is to assist consumers in making educated decisions about the models they select and to encourage manufacturers to raise the bar on safety standards. However, because the Global NCAP standards are optional, manufacturers either sponsor the vehicles that are brought in for testing or the agency chooses them at random from dealerships. And they frequently choose auto models with questionable safety records.
In the past, automakers like Maruti Suzuki have responded to these Global NCAP tests by claiming that they are in compliance with all laws and that the tests are carried out at speeds higher than those recommended by regulatory authorities in India, Europe, and the US.
The government has been making some progress on the specific issues of standardising crash tests and upholding the integrity of Global NCAP, despite the fact that it has been greatly delayed. A draught notification introducing Bharat NCAP has recently been accepted by the Union Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (New Car Assessment Program).
The scheme will begin to be implemented on April 1, 2023. Under this, passenger vehicles up to eight seats and a curb weight of less than 3.5 tonnes will be put to the test. Star ratings will be assigned to cars in India based on crash test results that take into account local laws and traffic situations. In 2016, the Bharat NCAP initiative was initially introduced.
