Tata Motors has done it again. Its soon-to-be-launched Altroz premium hatchback has become its second – after the Tata Nexon – and India’s second five-star rated car. The Altroz variant, which Global NCAP tested, has recorded a strong five-star rating for adult occupant protection and three stars for child occupant protection. The Altroz is the first car to be tested in the new round of #SaferCarsForIndia test.

What the test results say
The Altroz offers two frontal airbags as standard. Its structure and its footwell area were rated as stable. Head and neck protection for adult occupants was good. Chest protection for both adults was adequate. Child occupant protection showed good protection for the 18-month-old dummy with the CRS installed rearward facing and using the standard ISOFIX anchorages. The three-year-old CRS was installed forward-facing, the backrest of the seat unlatched during the crash due to the load of the top tether which was a reason for a score reduction. The head contact of the three-year-old dummy with the interior of the car, the lack of three-point belts in all seating positions, and the lack of possibility of disconnecting the passenger airbag when a rearward-facing CRS is installed in the passenger seat explain the three-star rating for child occupant protection.

Commenting on the results, David Ward, CEO and President of Global NCAP said, “The latest result in our #SaferCarsforIndia crash tests shows a strong signal that Tata Motors is moving its fleet to five-star levels of safety performance. We would like to encourage all other car manufacturers in India to follow Tata’s example and bring affordable five-star cars to Indian consumers.”

“The Indian government’s minimum crash test standards are clearly helping to eliminate any new zero star cars from the market, and we will continue to work with them to ensure the push of regulatory requirements is complemented by the pull of consumer awareness, encouraging the demand for ever-higher levels of safety.”

The #SaferCarsForIndia Campaign was launched by Global NCAP in 2014 with the objective of promoting safer vehicles in the country. The Tata Altroz, which is to be officially launched on January 22, becomes the 36^th made-in-India car to be crash-tested by Global NCAP. These safety assessments have acted as an important catalyst in the safety improvement of Indian cars.

Mayank Pareek, president, passenger vehicles business unit (PVBU), Tata Motors, said, “We are proud to have delivered yet another product that will be regarded as the safest passenger vehicle on Indian roads. In alignment with our philosophy of Connected Electrified Shared and Safe (CESS) mobility solutions, we have successfully provided the Indian automotive industry with yet another product that is a certified example of stringent safety. The Nexon was the proverbial guiding light for us in this aspect, and the Altroz has followed its footsteps, setting a new benchmark across the industry safety standards. We hope that achievements such as this one, elevate the trust in our badge among the Indian car-buyers and continue to prove Tata Motors as a brand associated with class-defining products.”

Rajendra Petkar, president and chief technology officer, Tata Motors, said, “We are delighted to have made yet another car – the Tata Altroz that raises the bar for automotive safety standards across the industry. Being an industry first in the hatchback segment in the country, this is in lockstep with our objective to deliver mobility solutions that possess advanced technological features alongside providing robust protection for the occupants. This achievement is in line our philosophy that vehicle safety should be made accessible to all. Getting GNCAP 5 star for the Altroz is an outcome of the relentless hard work put in by the engineering team with support from the project function and entire organisation, including our supplier partners. Together they delivered an excellent package consisting of outstanding structural integrity while using a 'digital first' strategy.”

Further, a strong crash safety rating also acts as a sales draw as increasingly safety-conscious car buyers in India opt to put their money on a model that walks the talk on the safety front. The Tata Nexon is proof of that. 

Also read: Global NCAP crash test: everything you need to know

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