Maruti Suzuki, India’s largest carmaker, will subject its Baleno, Brezza, and Grand Vitara models to crash tests under the newly introduced Bharat New Car Assessment Programme (Bharat NCAP). This move comes in light of Maruti Suzuki’s past low ratings in Global NCAP tests.
Explaining the significance, Rahul Bharti, Executive Officer of Corporate Affairs at Maruti Suzuki India, noted that all cars launched in India adhere to mandatory safety standards established by the government. The Bharat NCAP system provides an unbiased and reliable rating system for customers who prioritize extra safety features or manufacturers who offer them. This empowers customers to make informed choices.
Given Maruti Suzuki’s history of low ratings in Global NCAP tests, it’s crucial to observe the company’s performance in the Bharat NCAP. For instance, the WagonR achieved only a one-star rating, while other models like AltoK10, Swift, and S-Presso garnered two or three stars. Similarly, Hyundai Motor India (HMIL) models received modest safety ratings in Global NCAP evaluations, mostly scoring two or three stars.
Unsoo Kim, Managing Director and CEO of Hyundai Motor India, welcomed the Bharat NCAP safety initiative, believing it will enhance safety standards, offer critical information to consumers, and ultimately contribute to safer roads in India. Hyundai will initially provide three models for crash testing.
While Mahindra & Mahindra and Tata Motors, respected domestic automakers with high Global NCAP ratings, welcomed the new safety initiative, they haven’t disclosed the specific models they’ll submit for testing. Tata Motors’ Nexon and Punch, as well as Mahindra’s XUV300, Scorpio-N, and XUV700, boast five-star Global NCAP safety ratings. Mahindra’s popular Thar received a four-star rating. Bharat NCAP has already received requests from various automakers to test 30 models ahead of its scheduled launch on October 1st, 2023.