Positive results expected in Global NCAP's new crash test of Indian cars tomorrow

Global New Car Assessment Programme (Global NCAP), the global safety watchdog, is to announce the results of its latest crash test under its #SaferCarsforIndia campaign tomorrow (May 10). The overall results are expected to be "positive". However, they may not be as good as the best-yet four-star results scored by the Tata Zest and Toyota Etios. The organisation has been working on auditing safety standards of cars on sale in the Indian market since the past three years.

While many of the mass market cars have been able to only achieve zero star ratings for adult and child protection, Global NCAP’s technical director, Alejandro Furas says, “It is particularly saddening to see the treatment some global automotive OEMs give to the small and developing markets in their portfolio.”

Furas, who was one of the key speakers at Autocar Professional’s annual webinar on automotive and road safety on May 8, was referring to the results of the Chevrolet Enjoy and the Ford Figo Aspire, both of which come from global OEMs, but showed poorer performance than expected. While the Enjoy failed to score any star rating, the Aspire received 3 stars due to the presence of dual airbags as standard fitment.

When queried as to the specific models which have been tested and whose results are to be revealed tomorrow, the Global NCAP representative, refused to name them.   

In November 2016, Global NCAP had crashtested the Tata Zest compact sedan. The standard non-airbag version resulted in a disappointing zero-star score for adult occupant protection and one star for child occupant protection. Tata Motors introduced a structural improvement to the entire Zest range while Global NCAP tested the new version with optional airbags.

The Zest with two airbags and two pretensioners showed very substantial improvements and, together with the seatbelt reminder in the driver seat, the Zest achieved an impressive four-star score in adult occupant protection. Tata also selected other child restraint systems for the airbag version, improving the rear seat child occupant protection to 2 stars.

Indian OEMs have the skills
With the response time taken from Tata Motors being very little, Furas believes that the local Indian vehicle manufacturers do have the knowledge, as well as the technology and can very well out-do the global players, when it comes to incorporating a change for the betterment of the products.

“Indian industry has the capacity to react fast and in a very efficient manner," says Furas. “It has the capability to build safe cars, to bring safer cars to the market. Global platforms can offers systems that drive safety. More and more use of global platforms help safety initiatives,” he added. 

Global NCAP also believes that with consistent improvement in the competencies of India’s home-grown OEs, the country is bound to become safer in terms of automotive safety, much earlier than others and unlike Mexico, which still has a lot of catching up to do.

Also read: Safer India: Tech’s not the silver bullet but well-informed consumer plays key role