![]() | #526 |
BHPian ![]() Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Border Town
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| ![]() When something critical is being said about a brand or a specific car, I believe we shouldn't take it so personally. We always tend to idolize the things that we like. So, any critical opinion is perceived as bashing. If someone criticizes a brand/car, it is not a full-on character assault on all the people who own the said brand/car. Some even say that negative opinions should be curbed/moderated, but what else do we talk about then? Its not like we have local rally circuits or active performance modding communities. A car is still a luxury or an instrument of commute for most of us. By and large, our priorities and discussions are centered around economics, new launches and other practical aspects of the car. So, aspects such as safety and reliability would naturally get top priority. One needs to realize that consumer criticism is good in a capitalistic setup, as it forces corporations to better themselves (which they will NEVER do on their own). Our safety rants on t-bhp will eventually spread to the public consciousness, which will also hopefully force lawmakers to enforce minimum safety standards (of course in a few decades time). |
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![]() | #527 | |
BHPian ![]() Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Kolkata
Posts: 389
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![]() In 1992 I bought a 20-year old Premier Padmini at around that price and sold it off after three years for 28K. By the way, I always felt safe driving a Padmini because of the long bonnet and heavy sheet metal. That safe feeling was all gone a few years later with my new Maruti 800. | |
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![]() | #528 |
Newbie Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Chennai
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| ![]() I think that a lot of people have misunderstood the purpose of this thread. The motive of this thread which I think is to make people to stay away from unsafe cars. But on the contrary this has changed into a brawl between the brands. We as a well informed customer know the value of safety and should advise or motivate prospective buyers to value safety more than the price. So it would be really helpful if we start talking about cars and variants which have been certified safe in each segment rather than blaming manufacturers. The main reason manufacturers have these safety features in the top variants is because the majority of sales happens on the low variants without safety features. If all customers opt for the variant which has all safety features then manufacturers will be forced to provide these features as standard. |
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![]() | #529 |
BHPian ![]() | ![]() Swift is considered a premium hatchback and is priced like a premium hatchback. So its expected to at least have a stable body structure if not have ABS/airbags in lower variants. Even buyers who bought zxi variants were in for a rude shock when test results came. Swift's criticism in this thread is justified. A two wheeler guy on a tight budget and graduating to a car would probably look at an Alto or Wagon R etc which of course offer him better safety. At that price range I think it wrong to attack only Maruti, I'm pretty sure all cars in A, B1 segment offer poor cabin structure today. |
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![]() | #530 |
Distinguished - BHPian ![]() ![]() Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Ranchi
Posts: 4,006
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| ![]() We also need to understand that car buying is still a luxury in India. For many of us, car buying is an event of lifetime, more so like an aspiration rather than just buying decision. Hence, it is quite natural to go for entry model cars/ cheaper variants as they are easier on the pocket of average Indian families. This is how an average Indian family rolls on a budget. Frankly evaluate ourselves, which was the first car our family brought home; even if we are currently driving bigger & safer cars. For one may have crossed that phase but for many, they are still to get there. Hence, blaming the owners of such cars and thinking that they do not value their lives or the lives of their loved ones is not justified. Safety is relative. We feel more than safe here with 2 airbags, but someone used to US/ UK standards may feel unsafe in a car with just 2 airbags. They are used to 6 airbags in the car. Will that mean that people driving cars with just 2 airbags do not value their loved ones lives? In the same way, the someone who has just upgraded to an A segment car from his 2 wheeler has climbed a safety ladder. Agree that they should not take it as an elixir of life, but a situation like this has to be appreciated. However, the problem will be solved to an extent by making the safety features standard on all cars. This will result in localization of manufacturing of concerned parts and economy of scales will further see a price drop. We should not construe that prices will go north based on the prices of current models offering those safety kit. It has to be & will be substantially lower. Maruti, as a market leader and credited to change the automotive scene in India should step ahead and change things for better in its cars. Sooner or later, they have to do it, so doing it now will bring them goodwill as well. Others also do not have the choice. I am not a VW fan in anyway, but respect them for what they did to Polo when it failed the NCAP test. I would like to see more and more manufacturers doing the same and contribute to building safer road travel experience in India. Thanks, Saket |
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![]() | #531 | |
BHPian ![]() | ![]() Quote:
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![]() | #532 |
BHPian ![]() | ![]() @anb Of course Polo and Figo have stable cabin structures. Just to clarify I only said I suspect A and B1 segment hatches (Eon, Santro, Wagon R etc) Figo is classified as B2 if I am not wrong and Polo of course is a premium hatch. |
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![]() | #533 |
Senior - BHPian ![]() Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Bengaluru
Posts: 4,352
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![]() | #534 |
BHPian ![]() Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: BLR/FRA/STR
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| ![]() Just to clarify that point, a car is given zero stars if it does not have dual airbags, stable cabin or not (Airbags are mandatory to get qualified for a star rating). So obviously, the Figo and Polo without airbags will score zero stars! The same Polo with dual airbags was awarded 4 stars. But the Figo with airbags was not tested and so, we don't know what star rating it would have got. But one thing we know for sure is that the Figo with airbags would fare better than the Swift with airbags as the cabin was stable under impact, unlike the Swift, which gives Figo the edge. Last edited by A350XWB : 11th November 2014 at 15:35. |
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![]() | #535 | |
Senior - BHPian ![]() Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Bengaluru
Posts: 4,352
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![]() | #536 | |||||||
BHPian ![]() Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Mumbai
Posts: 124
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| ![]() Firstly, apologies for the long post. Bear with me please. Quote:
Also, I think the first batch of tests on the Polo and Figo generated a lot of reaction from the Indian press, and Indians in general. This may have played a role in encouraging GNCAP to take this bold step. Quote:
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The point I want to make is: Lets make no mistake, this is a vicious circle. Any company which is making huge profits because of such cost saving measures, and because of the sheer numbers it sells, has an unfair advantage in terms of its cash flows, its profits, and most importantly in its ability to invest in newer and more diverse products, which in turn make room for it to generate more market share and more numbers and more profit, as well as more returns for its share holders. Ultimately that’s the end game. Will it be unfair to question if Maruti would have the same sales figures if its cars were 30-50,000 more expensive because they had to make them as safe as their European products. I guess the other manufacturers who make relatively safer body shells and equally decent products (Polo, Punto, Figo) would have a better chance to sell in such a scenario, improving their business prospects, and their future in the Indian market. Wouldn’t it be fair that these other manufacturers get returns considering that they were every so slightly more considerate of the Mango Man and his safety, though the real reason may well be that they may be playing to their strengths and distinguishing factors. Just want to add a disclaimer here: I own a Maruti for the past several years, and am not trying to bash anyone. I am trying to analyze the far reaching business and social implications the combination of cost cuttings on safety, and still selling huge numbers may have. Quote:
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So I do not think that there is anything wrong that in this particular thread we are discussing one such important aspect of car safety. I am sure no one will mind starting other threads about some of the aspects you mentioned. This particular thread is also about whether one gets his money’s worth, among other things I and others have already mentioned earlier. Nothing wrong if individuals feel a need to comment on that aspect of their purchases. Quote:
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![]() | #537 |
BHPian Join Date: May 2014 Location: Pune
Posts: 104
Thanked: 242 Times
| ![]() Swift scored zero star in crash test. Now what? I have a swift vxi, I knew ABS and Airbags are important but still I bought a vxi version. Did not expected the car to be this poor. Now it really does not matter whose fault it is, only my loved ones and I are at risk and not Maruti. So what should I do to minimize the risk? 1) Sell current vehicle and buy a safer vehicle ( a 5 start only) I can really think of this option as of now, please advice. |
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![]() | #538 |
Senior - BHPian ![]() | ![]() ^^^While stars do provide a way to gauge relative safety of cars, do bear in mind that no car guarantees that occupants will come out alive from any accident, even if rated 5 star. So whether you retain the car or replace it with some other 'comparitively' safer option, take care to drive safe. Last edited by supremeBaleno : 11th November 2014 at 18:23. |
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![]() | #539 | |
Distinguished - BHPian ![]() ![]() | ![]() Quote:
When its time to change your car after some years - at that time buy one that has all the safety features. Don't blindly fix the "5 star criterion". The tests are indicative. A 5 star safe car may also perform poorly in a particular situation. | |
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![]() | #540 | |
Senior - BHPian ![]() Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: New Delhi
Posts: 1,815
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I request every one to please get a car with abs and airbags, most of us team bhpians do go for a car which have abs and airbags and i request others to do the same. Yeah, budget is a constraint in some cases but you and your family's life is more important than a lakh or two saved in some bank or fixed deposit. Accidents can happen to any one, its a matter of time, be prepared. If you can, please go and get a good built 5 star rated car with abs and airbags. Drive safe ![]() | |
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