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Five Indian car models have got zero star ratings in crash tests conducted by the Global New Car Assessment Programme (Global NCAP). They are the Renault Kwid, Maruti Suzuki’s Celerio and Eeco, Mahindra Scorpio and Hyundai Eon.
The results, released in New Delhi on Tuesday, showed low levels of adult occupant protection in the five models. Global NCAP participated in a two-day conference on road safety hosted by the Institute of Road Traffic Education in Faridabad.
According to its website, the Kwid was tested in three versions, including one with airbags, but none got a star for adult safety. Global NCAP tested the standard version without airbags followed by an updated evolution in production from early April 2016.
The car was tested with and without an airbag but still scored zero stars.
According to Global NCAP, Renault will implement further improvements to the Kwid which will be tested in forthcoming crash tests. In a statement, the French carmaker said: “Safety is of paramount importance for Renault and all our products meet and exceed the requisite safety standards set by Indian regulatory authorities.”
As for the Scorpio, it scored zero stars in adult occupant protection and two in child occupant protection.
The collapse of the structure combined with the lack of airbags means that there is high probability of life threatening injuries for at least one of the adult passengers.
Mahindra & Mahindra reiterated in a press release that all its products were developed to meet or exceed safety standards set in India.
“The star rating as released by Global NCAP in the latest crash test was conducted on the non-airbags variant of the Scorpio. Typically, in any star rating process, non-airbag variants do not perform well on safety standards,” it stated.
Hyundai Eon, which is offered in the standard version without airbags, scored zero stars in adult occupant protection with two in child occupant protection. Global NCAP cited unstable structure in the passenger compartment and lack of airbags as the cause.
The non-airbag Maruti Suzuki Celerio and Eeco scored zero stars in adult occupant protection and one star in child occupant protection.
Commenting on the latest crash test results, David Ward, Secretary General, Global NCAP, said: “The 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 prerequisite for occupant safety together with fitment at least of front airbags.”
He added that the results drive home the importance of the Centre’s decision to mandate front and side impact crash tests from October 2017.
Speed matters In a statement, Maruti Suzuki India said the tests by Global NCAP are conducted at speeds that are higher than those prescribed by the regulatory authorities not only in India but in Europe and the US.
The results have to be seen in that perspective.
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