why airbags/ABS only on high end variants?

[greenhorn]

Just want to know why these are offered only on the higher variants. They are not luxury features, these are IMHO , essential items, which help save human lives

I would understand perfectly if manufacturers gave them as standard only on higher end variants, but cant they offer it as an option to those buying the lower end variants?

Are those who cant afford to buy all the gadgets they want to flog not worthy of these safety devices?

[BUSA]

Well its simple, due to higher costs its only offered in the higher varaints. MSIL offers it as a option on the mid variants of the Swift and there are hardly any takers. So was the case with the Santro, whose all the models from the basic to the top end variant had ABS as option.

[DieselFan]

In the past most Indian used their car for city driving where you travel at 40 kmph or less most of the time. This did not warrant a ABS or Airbags. This legacy has continued despite the increase in average city speed as well as more frequent highway runs now-a-days. That is the reason why you find airbags and ABS only on higher variant. At times ABS and Airbags are not provided at all in any variant (Swift DDIS for example).

[asdon]

Hi ,
I also had this question in my mind, why the safety features are not given in low end cars. I have an Alto, with Reverse Parking sensor, Power windows,GPS Tracker , with high end music system and what not .. but when I asked for ABS my dealer just smiled at me and the answer was " Sir don't fit so many gadgets, you will not get resale value!!!" who cares.. I will not sale my car.. I came to know from a loacl shop that ABS can be fitted but it will not work properly and there will be warranty problem so I kept away from that.. want to know from you all if this can be done?

[MaserQ]

Originally Posted by BUSA

Well its simple, due to higher costs its only offered in the higher varaints. MSIL offers it as a option on the mid variants of the Swift and there are hardly any takers. So was the case with the Santro, whose all the models from the basic to the top end variant had ABS as option.

That makes sense but it is still the manufacturer's responsibility to offer the handful of people who dont have the extra lakh to shell out for the top-end model, a chance to have these safety features if they wish to.

[gendarmee]

Its always good to have it on the car, making it standard would mean increasing the base price of the car...
But do we really need them? One who goes once in a while on the highway...or drives often on the highway def needs them. Most of us driving in the city move around at less than 50Km/hr and a crash is more of a brush or a jab, as in , seat belts do take care of that....I know a guy who's car's airbags got activated in an auto-car crash and he got hurt on the face and burnt on the face, the air bag made him suffer more than the actual accident!!

[phamilyman]

BUSA, it is not costs, they can give it as option.

Consider spark today - alloys, ABS, driver airbag in some 25-30k extra if I recall right. That is a bargain by any stretch of imagination - I don't understand why same cannot be offered as a option across the board. o much for their much acclaimed assembly lines

[arunforu1]

Yes they are not luxury features, they are essential safety measures.
Simple reason it is not provided as STD parts is, because IT IS NOT ENFORCED BY CMVR rules in India.

Please dont argue about costs going high, dual airbags are offered here as standard even in Cheap sedan(but practical) 8000-Euro Logan in Europe, i guess it is having same cost in India.

starting Smaller cars are sold here between 6000-12000 euros, which appx same as in India with many more items as Std fitments not in higher trim leveles. Because they are mandatory obligation by govt.

Remember few years back seat belts were advertised as features in car ads.

[RROD]

Originally Posted by arunforu1

Simple reason it is not provided as STD parts is, because IT IS NOT ENFORCED BY CMVR rules in India.

If that had happened, there wouldnt be a 1 Lakh car woulf it!! seems like the govt is upto something.
All said and done, the govt should make it mandatory, to atleast provide the safety kit as Options.

[arunforu1]

Originally Posted by RROD

If that had happened, there wouldnt be a 1 Lakh car woulf it!! seems like the govt is upto something.
All said and done, the govt should make it mandatory, to atleast provide the safety kit as Options.

yes if govt makes it mandatory even 1 lac car, cannot roll out without it. Unless an "exempt a category/class" game is not played.

Like it is done in case of quadricycle, there is practically no mandatory obligation from govt in quadricycle class, it is undefined so exempted category so far, for even basic rules.

But in first place why our janta keep on saying "atleast as an option", why as an option. It must be mandatory.

you may need an airbag or ABS even in city, dont feel a false sense of security in city speed limits. For your Information most crash tests are validated at 50 Km/h mark, which is easily achieved in city.

Then why safety equipments should be an option, these should be mandatory, like seatbelts.

[RROD]

Originally Posted by arunforu1

yes if govt makes it mandatory even 1 lac car, cannot roll out without it. Unless an "exempt a category/class" game is not played.

Like it is done in case of quadricycle, there is practically no mandatory obligation from govt in quadricycle class, it is undefined so exempted category so far, for even basic rules.

But in first place why our janta keep on saying "atleast as an option", why as an option. It must be mandatory.

you may need an airbag or ABS even in city, dont feel a false sense of security in city speed limits. For your Information most crash tests are validated at 50 Km/h mark, which is easily achieved in city.

Then why safety equipments should be an option, these should be mandatory, like seatbelts.

I am all for Safety Equipment, but something says me govt doesnt want to make it mandatory, doesnt make sense, but who knows!!
And FYI crash tests are done at 40 mph, not sure what it is India though
YouTube - Top Gear:Crash Tests: Proton Waja Toyota Avensis Ford Fiesta