The latest Indian NCAP results for crash tests have been released. The Renault Kwid (an A segment crossover hatchback thingy), Maruti Suzuki Celerio (an A segment hatch), Maruti Suzuki Eeco (essentially a minivan), Mahindra Scorpio (the infamous 'Inspector Sahab' jeep) and Hyundai Eon (another A segment hatch) all showed low levels of adult occupant protection with a zero star rating. So 'low levels' of adult occupant protection is actually an understatement.
If you read the report you would note that note of the cars tested had airbags with the exception of the Renault Kwid variant with a driver's side airbag. That too failed exceptionally well. I suppose aside from airbags, the most important other item is a structurally strong cabin. This means more spot welds, more use of high tensile steel or thicker sections of mild steel for use in the monocoque chassis. It isn't just slapping on some airbags actually. Do note the reason why the 800cc Renault Kwid was highlighted is because it is highly popular these days in India. There is a waiting list of over 5 months for this car.
The cars tested are being sold in the Indian market where approximately 150,000 people die from road related accidents every year. Almost all the cars are tiny ones without airbags and the standard of construction you see in the cars mentioned above. This is usually the case where the authorities of a country do not make it mandatory to install safety features or adhere to a certain standard. In India, you can see cars selling under RM18,000 like the Tata Nano or the Maruti Suzuki 800 (which actually features nifty cost saving production techniques in order to save cost and weight).
There is always a price to pay for very affordable mobility. I do think that even a zero rated car is still safer than riding a motorcycle if one wants to argue in terms of safety. I therefore believe that you do get what you pay for. This cheap and supposedly unsafe cars still offer more protection from the elements than riding a bike.
Car companies are like any other company. The bottomline is that they are in the car making business for profits. No one goes into business thinking otherwise. So government regulators must come into play and instruct these companies to make safer cars. I also believe that the Indian authorities should make it mandatory as soon as possible. The Indian government actually are, as in 2018 all cars should have an airbag fitted for the driver and maybe the passenger.
The cost for the safety equipment could be only amount to a slight increase due to the numbers produced and sold. And again, there is a price to pay for safety. A mandatory price that everyone should pay from the producers and the purchasers. It is a two way thing. That is 18 months away and at least over a hundred thousand deaths in between.
At least here in Malaysia there is a more conscious effort by the government as all cars are sold with at least the front airbags for driver and front passenger. The second thing is that the entry level cars offered by manufacturers are more sophisticated that those offered by those in India. We have to count our blessings in some ways.
Do read the report below and head over to the links therein for a more detailed picture of the results.
PRESS RELEASE
17 May 2016
17 May 2016
Zero Stars For All Cars In Latest Global NCAP Crash Tests
The latest Indian crash test results from Global NCAP released today (17) in Delhi continue to disappoint with all five models rated as zero star. The Renault Kwid, Maruti Suzuki Celerio, Maruti Suzuki Eeco, Mahindra Scorpio and Hyundai Eon all showed low levels of adult occupant protection.
The Renault Kwid was tested in three versions, including one with airbags, but each was rated as zero star for adult safety (see Editors Note).
Commenting on the latest crash test results, David Ward, Secretary General of Global NCAP said,
“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. Global NCAP strongly believes that no manufacturer anywhere in the world should be developing 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.
“We welcome Renault’s efforts to correct this and we look forward to testing another improved version with airbags. Renault has a strong record of achievement in safety in Europe and it should offer the same commitment to its customers in India.”
Speaking during the Indian Automobile Safety Conference hosted by IRTE in Faridabad, Ward continued,
“The results highlight the importance of the Indian Government’s decision to mandate front and side impact crash tests from October 2017. Legislative action is needed to ensure that the minimum levels of occupant protection recommended by the United Nations are guaranteed for Indian consumers. But manufacturers don’t have to wait for legislation and we urge them to act to eliminate all zero star cars from production as soon as possible.
“Global NCAP also welcomes the forthcoming launch of a Bharat New Car Assessment Programme which can help build a market for safer cars in India.”
Renault Kwid
Global NCAP tested the standard version of the Kwid without airbags. It scored zero stars in adult occupant protection and two stars in child occupant protection. The collapse of the structure in the passenger compartment and the lack of airbags explained the poor result.
Following safety improvements Renault proposed that Global NCAP test an updated evolution of the Kwid in production from early April 2016. The car was tested with and without an airbag.
The new Kwid without an airbag scored zero stars in the adult occupant protection and two stars in child occupant protection. The structure did not collapse however it was rated as unstable and that it could not withstand further loadings. It was possible to see the structural reinforcements implemented in this version of the Kwid but when Global NCAP checked the left (passenger) side, there were no reinforcements. The structure was reinforced only on the driver side.
The new Kwid with the addition of driver airbag was also tested. This version also scored zero stars in the adult occupant protection and two stars in child occupant protection. The structure was the same as the new KWID without airbags but a high compression in the dummy chest area explains the low score.
Renault has confirmed that they will implement further improvements to the KWID and Global NCAP will test these new evolutions in forthcoming crash tests.
KWID (I) NO AIRBAGS
KWID (III) NO AIRBAGS
KWID (III) WITH DRIVER AIRBAG
Mahindra Scorpio
Mahindra Scorpio scored zero stars in the adult occupant protection and two stars in child occupant protection. The collapse of the structure combined with the lack of airbags explains the score for the adult occupants protection which means that there is high probability of life threatening injuries for at least one of the adult passengers.
Suzuki Maruti Eeco
The non airbag Eeco scored zero stars in the adult occupant protection and one star in child occupant protection. The collapse of the structure in the passenger compartment and the lack of airbags explained the poor result in adult occupant protection. This model does not offer optional airbags. Considering the structural collapse airbags are not likely to help avoid life threatening injuries to the driver.
Hyundai Eon
The Hyundai Eon is offered in the standard version without airbags. It scored zero stars in the adult occupant protection and two stars in child occupant protection. The unstable structure in the passenger compartment and the lack of airbags explained the poor result in adult occupant protection.
Suzuki Maruti Celerio
The non airbag Maruti Suzuki Celerio scored zero stars in adult occupant protection and one star in child occupant protection. The lack of airbags explained the poor result in adult occupant protection.
The low score in child occupant protection is explained by the high values recorded in the 3 year old child dummy as well as its forward excursion beyond the accepted limits.
EDITORS NOTE:
As a result of Global NCAP’s SaferCarsforIndia crash testing Renault has sought to improve the safety performance of the Kwid. Four versions of the Kwid have been produced with different safety features, with the fourth only recently released and yet to be tested by Global NCAP.
Despite the safety improvements Renault has sought to introduce all of the versions tested to date have been rated as zero star for adult protection.
The different versions of the Kwid are summarised below:
Kwid (I) tested without airbags
achieved zero stars for adult protection
18,091 units produced
(until VIN No. VIN MEEBBA005G1323780)
achieved zero stars for adult protection
18,091 units produced
(until VIN No. VIN MEEBBA005G1323780)
Kwid (II) not tested
Estimated 25,000 units produced from January 2016
(from VIN No. VIN MEEBBA005G1323781)
Estimated 25,000 units produced from January 2016
(from VIN No. VIN MEEBBA005G1323781)
Kwid (III) tested with driver airbag and without airbags
both versions achieved zero stars for adult protection
5,000 units produced from April 2nd, 2106
(from VIN No. VIN MEEBBA005G4350297)
both versions achieved zero stars for adult protection
5,000 units produced from April 2nd, 2106
(from VIN No. VIN MEEBBA005G4350297)
Kwid (IV) yet to be tested by Global NCAP
produced from May 9th 2016
(from VIN No. MEEBBA008G5362695)
produced from May 9th 2016
(from VIN No. MEEBBA008G5362695)
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