Exposing a gaping hole in the safety aspect of cars on sale in India, five popular car models in the country failed the crash test conducted by U.K-based Global New Car Assessment Programme (NCAP).
Cars including Maruti Suzuki Celerio, Hyundai Eon, Renault Kwid, Maruti Suzuki Eeco, and Mahindra Scorpio were crash-tested at a speed of 64 kmph but were found to be completely lacking on the adult occupant safety front.
While all the cars that underwent the crash test got a zero rating out of five for adult occupant safety, Renault Kwid, Hyundai Eon, and Mahindra Scorpio managed two-star ratings for child safety. Maruti’s Celerio and Eeco got single star ratings for child safety.
The cars were also tested for their ability to withstand a slightly milder impact, a frontal collision at a speed of 56 kmph, but still were rated zero out of five on adult occupant safety.
Commenting on the results, Global NCPA Secretary General David Ward urged car manufacturers across the world to refrain from developing new models that are sub-standard.
"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,” he said.
“Global NCAP strongly believes that no manufacturer in the world should be develop 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,” he added.
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