Global NCAP Secretary General David Ward said: “We welcome
the initiative of the Indian government to launch its own NCAP and recommend
that this positive step is combined with the application of the UN regulations
for frontal and side impact. Prompt action like this would prevent the
introduction of brand new models like the Datsun Go, which has body structure
so weak that is pointless to fit an airbag.”
Mr Ward added that “It is disappointing to see a global
company like Nissan launch a new car design in 2014 that so clearly falls below
UN safety standards. This runs counter to the objectives of the UN Decade of
Action.”
Rohit Baluja,
President of the Institute of Road Traffic Education (IRTE) said: “Consumers
are not yet aware of the safety aspects of the vehicle they purchase. The
consumer believes that the automobiles they are purchasing meet the best safety
standards. While deciding to purchase the vehicle the consumer does not yet
consider safety as a deciding parameter. This awareness needs to be created. It
must be the responsibility of both the vehicle manufacturer and seller to
provide this information to the consumer and make this aspect the basis of
marketing. Referring to The Prime Minister’s campaign “Make in India”, the call
is “not just make in India, but make the highest quality of products in India
which match the best of global standards.”
Baluja complimented the Ministry of Road Transport &
Highways for their initiative with the Automobile Industry to start the process
of the Indian NCAP as well as towards framing a regulatory structure. Baluja
however laid emphasis that while USA initiated the process of having an NCAP as
early as 1979, and most automobile manufacturing countries have followed suit,
India is far behind schedule and must complete both the regulatory and NCAP
consumer information process not later than 2016.
Datsun GO scored zero
stars for adult occupant protection and just two stars for child occupant
protection. The Datsun GO’s vehicle structure collapsed in the crash and was
rated as unstable. The car’s lack of airbags meant that the driver’s head makes
direct contact with the steering wheel and dashboard – the dummy readings
indicate a high probability of life-threatening injuries. However the failure
of the body shell makes it redundant to fit an airbag. The two-star rating for
child protection is due mainly to the poor performance of the Child Restraint
System. -
Maruti Suzuki Swift
scored zero stars for adult occupant protection and just one star for child
occupant protection. The Swift’s vehicle structure showed signs of collapsing
in the crash and was rated as unstable. The car’s lack of standard-fit airbags
meant that the driver’s head makes direct contact with the steering wheel – the
dummy readings indicate a high probability of life threatening injuries. Unlike
the Go, fitting airbags would improve occupant protection. The Swift’s poor
child protection score is due mainly to the poor performance of the Child
Restraint System