Safety of Maruti cars

hawkeye · 12th June 2005, 02:04

The whole point is that if companies pay more attention to the safety of the cars they manufacture, the number of deaths by road accidents will definately come down. If the people in India do not realise the importance of safety, what are car manufacturers doing? They can atleast discontinue or upgrade their not so safe models. If they cannot simply provide safe enough cars, they rather discontinue them. It's like, since these cars are available, people tend to go for them.

They did offer a stripped down Alto as a better option to the 800. And it was a success, which simply shows that if people are offered and made to realise by the manufacturers about some better products available, they don't really mind paying some extra money. They really need to improve and advertise the safety features as well and stress on them.

A person who pays 2.5 lacs for a Maruti 800 also deserves a safe car. Compare the Marutis that were sold in the mid/late 90's and their cars today. Forget looks, engines, comforts, etc. Does MUL even try to make their products 25% more safer than they were in the earlier days. They have made attempts to reduce emission norms as that was made mandatory by the government. Can't any company which has ruled a nation's automotive world for 2 decades be a bit innovative and try offering their loyal customers a more safer product at a minimal price hike. It's not impossible for them. It's just that they don't take the pain and efforts to improvise safety. We the people of India have shown enough faith and respect for this company to gain something good from them. It's high time we gain something from them.

V-16 · 12th June 2005, 02:46

personally think if one has an airbag option in the car u want then get it with the airbags. safety first always

qqplus · 12th June 2005, 09:16

I agree with you. Companies should make an attempt. They should take the initiative. Airbags, and ABS should be standard despite the model. Thats when people will realize. Our government can make it mandatory as well, but as we all know they do not do such things.

AJO.

Conan · 12th June 2005, 11:30

I agree that maruti cars are not safe. But other cars no safer either.
Cars like mitsubishi lancer and ikon which cost 6-8 lacs
have a safetly rating of 1.5 / 5 according to EU standards....
where as the humble alto has 3/5...

I disagree with prehistoric notion that a car with a stronger shell/body
is safer...
well the more rigid the car...the more energy is transfered to the occupents..
Amby is a classic example...

I would rather see the front of the car crumble
and spend upwards of 1 lac on repairs....
then get my head banged on dash and end up retarded or dead...

Also there are thousands of variables in a crash....
and it is not fair to throw muck at a manufacturer without knowing the full picture...

Yes i own a wagonR....and i wouldn't exchange it for anything
except maybe for a swift..

One query, can ABS be retro fitted for a wagonR...

DCEite · 12th June 2005, 11:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by Conan

I agree that maruti cars are not safe. But other cars no safer either.
Cars like mitsubishi lancer and ikon which cost 6-8 lacs
have a safetly rating of 1.5 / 5 according to EU standards....
where as the humble alto has 3/5...

I disagree with prehistoric notion that a car with a stronger shell/body
is safer...
well the more rigid the car...the more energy is transfered to the occupents..
Amby is a classic example...

I would rather see the front of the car crumble
and spend upwards of 1 lac on repairs....
then get my head banged on dash and end up retarded or dead...

Also there are thousands of variables in a crash....
and it is not fair to throw muck at a manufacturer without knowing the full picture...

Yes i own a wagonR....and i wouldn't exchange it for anything
except maybe for a swift..

One query, can ABS be retro fitted for a wagonR...

Welcome to the wagonR club dude..
Yes i do agree that the heavier-the safer theory is WRONG.. perfect examples are SUMO and INDICA..

I think that wagonR can be retro fitted with ABS.. since WagonR vxi has ABS as optional... so maybe the Maruti guys can help you.

p.s. I love Swift too.. hope to own it next year when i finish my engg.

hawkeye · 12th June 2005, 22:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by Conan

I agree that maruti cars are not safe. But other cars no safer either.
Cars like mitsubishi lancer and ikon which cost 6-8 lacs
have a safetly rating of 1.5 / 5 according to EU standards....
where as the humble alto has 3/5...

We are not trying to compare Maruti with companies like Mistubishi and Ford (they stand no comparision with Maruti

), and don't say that they do their things worse than others. They are the number one auto manufacturer and the point is about the level of efforts they put in to improve their products.Anyone would expect that from someone at the very top.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Conan

I disagree with prehistoric notion that a car with a stronger shell/body
is safer...
well the more rigid the car...the more energy is transfered to the occupents..
Amby is a classic example...

I absolutely agree pal, the Matiz is a clear example. It was one of the safest cars around.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Conan

Also there are thousands of variables in a crash....
and it is not fair to throw muck at a manufacturer without knowing the full picture...

Again, it's not this one off incident we are talking about. Maruti has done a lot of things for the Indian auto industry and I had great respect for them. It's just that they have lost their way in the past few years. I would definately like to see them at their best ever. They have got their cards rightly played with the Swift. It's only a matter they continue the good work.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Conan

Yes i own a wagonR....and i wouldn't exchange it for anything
except maybe for a swift..

I considered it as the best package available from MUL before the Swift. I just love that car.

lamborghini · 12th June 2005, 23:29

Guys,
the ikon and the lancer DO NOT have a safety rating of 1.5/5.
That honour goes to the accent.
The ikon and lancer are 3 - 4/5.
Secondly.
The zen costs 4L + on road.
I am sure that for that price they can make it safer. The Alto is safer thne the zen and is cheaper.
So why can not they make the zen safer at the same price?
I think car manufacturers like FIAT, Skoda, MBenz should start advertising the safety of their products so the buyers are aware of what they are getting into.

hawkeye · 13th June 2005, 04:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by lamborghini

The zen costs 4L + on road.
I am sure that for that price they can make it safer. The Alto is safer thne the zen and is cheaper.
So why can not they make the zen safer at the same price?

The Alto is safer than the Zen not because there are any added safety features in the Alto different from the Zen, but becuase its a different body design from the Zen. MUL cannot make the Zen more safer by making changes to the Zen's design. The Zen is a dated design and they can only add up to its safety by providing ABS, EBD, etc. It's nothing to do with the price of the Alto and the Zen.

P.S. FIAT should start advertising?

Conan · 13th June 2005, 11:42

This link shows the european new car assesment programme...

http://www.euroncap.com/content/safe...ings.php?id1=2

Mitsubhishi lancer GLX (1997) has a rating of 1.5/5

Deeps · 13th June 2005, 16:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by gr8guzzler

safety first or price...choice is yours...

Exactly my point! Ultimately, it is the buyers who must make the difference not the government.

Lambo, i agree that if car makers start advertising the safety features above the FE figures, then things will surely get better in this highly competetive market.

Conan, if you really want the ABS then the best option is to trade your current WagonR with the new one that has factory fitted ABS, IMO. Retrofitted ABS mechanisms are best avoided.

RX135 · 13th June 2005, 17:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deeps

Exactly my point! Ultimately, it is the buyers who must make the difference not the government.

I would agree with it, but with mostly ignorant customers, who are paranoid about FE, it is becomes responsibility of government. Enforcing emission norms is one good example, where government directives resulted in positive development w.r.t cars, eventually benefitting end users.

paharino1 · 13th June 2005, 18:04

Is there a Safety Rating avl for all the Cars which are sold in India ? What are the Safety Regulations for the Car Manufacturers in India ?

lamborghini · 13th June 2005, 18:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by Conan

This link shows the european new car assesment programme...

http://www.euroncap.com/content/safe...ings.php?id1=2

Mitsubhishi lancer GLX (1997) has a rating of 1.5/5

Damn.
I have never heard anyone say anything against the safety aspect of the lancer but figures do not lie do they?
Thanks.

typeOnegative · 13th June 2005, 18:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by lamborghini

Damn.
I have never heard anyone say anything against the safety aspect of the lancer but figures do not lie do they?
Thanks.

That was in 1997. And way back.

Things must have changed by now. Atleast I think so.

lamborghini · 14th June 2005, 00:16

We have the 1997 lancer here right now.
We got the car because it was safe.
Well atleast safer then the NHC and Baleno (or so we felt).

12th June 2005, 02:04	#31
hawkeye BHPian Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Mumbai Posts: 190 Thanked: 12 Times View My Garage	The whole point is that if companies pay more attention to the safety of the cars they manufacture, the number of deaths by road accidents will definately come down. If the people in India do not realise the importance of safety, what are car manufacturers doing? They can atleast discontinue or upgrade their not so safe models. If they cannot simply provide safe enough cars, they rather discontinue them. It's like, since these cars are available, people tend to go for them. They did offer a stripped down Alto as a better option to the 800. And it was a success, which simply shows that if people are offered and made to realise by the manufacturers about some better products available, they don't really mind paying some extra money. They really need to improve and advertise the safety features as well and stress on them. A person who pays 2.5 lacs for a Maruti 800 also deserves a safe car. Compare the Marutis that were sold in the mid/late 90's and their cars today. Forget looks, engines, comforts, etc. Does MUL even try to make their products 25% more safer than they were in the earlier days. They have made attempts to reduce emission norms as that was made mandatory by the government. Can't any company which has ruled a nation's automotive world for 2 decades be a bit innovative and try offering their loyal customers a more safer product at a minimal price hike. It's not impossible for them. It's just that they don't take the pain and efforts to improvise safety. We the people of India have shown enough faith and respect for this company to gain something good from them. It's high time we gain something from them. Last edited by hawkeye : 12th June 2005 at 02:08.
	() Thanks

12th June 2005, 02:46	#32
V-16 Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2005 Location: mumbai Posts: 4,594 Thanked: 950 Times View My Garage	personally think if one has an airbag option in the car u want then get it with the airbags. safety first always
	() Thanks

12th June 2005, 09:16	#33
qqplus BHPian Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: India Posts: 103 Thanked: 11 Times	I agree with you. Companies should make an attempt. They should take the initiative. Airbags, and ABS should be standard despite the model. Thats when people will realize. Our government can make it mandatory as well, but as we all know they do not do such things. AJO.
	() Thanks

12th June 2005, 11:30	#34
Conan BHPian Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Bangalore Posts: 223 Thanked: 0 Times	I agree that maruti cars are not safe. But other cars no safer either. Cars like mitsubishi lancer and ikon which cost 6-8 lacs have a safetly rating of 1.5 / 5 according to EU standards.... where as the humble alto has 3/5... I disagree with prehistoric notion that a car with a stronger shell/body is safer... well the more rigid the car...the more energy is transfered to the occupents.. Amby is a classic example... I would rather see the front of the car crumble and spend upwards of 1 lac on repairs.... then get my head banged on dash and end up retarded or dead... Also there are thousands of variables in a crash.... and it is not fair to throw muck at a manufacturer without knowing the full picture... Yes i own a wagonR....and i wouldn't exchange it for anything except maybe for a swift.. One query, can ABS be retro fitted for a wagonR...
	() Thanks

12th June 2005, 23:29	#37
lamborghini Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Mumbai Posts: 6,114 Thanked: 5,763 Times View My Garage	Guys, the ikon and the lancer DO NOT have a safety rating of 1.5/5. That honour goes to the accent. The ikon and lancer are 3 - 4/5. Secondly. The zen costs 4L + on road. I am sure that for that price they can make it safer. The Alto is safer thne the zen and is cheaper. So why can not they make the zen safer at the same price? I think car manufacturers like FIAT, Skoda, MBenz should start advertising the safety of their products so the buyers are aware of what they are getting into.
	() Thanks

13th June 2005, 11:42	#39
Conan BHPian Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Bangalore Posts: 223 Thanked: 0 Times	This link shows the european new car assesment programme... http://www.euroncap.com/content/safe...ings.php?id1=2 Mitsubhishi lancer GLX (1997) has a rating of 1.5/5
	() Thanks

13th June 2005, 18:04	#42
paharino1 BHPian Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Hyderabad, India Posts: 299 Thanked: 29 Times	Is there a Safety Rating avl for all the Cars which are sold in India ? What are the Safety Regulations for the Car Manufacturers in India ?
	() Thanks

14th June 2005, 00:16	#45
lamborghini Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Mumbai Posts: 6,114 Thanked: 5,763 Times View My Garage	We have the 1997 lancer here right now. We got the car because it was safe. Well atleast safer then the NHC and Baleno (or so we felt).
	() Thanks