More Indian cars face Global NCAP crash tests. Edit: ZERO for all

[Chetan_Rao]

The govt. has no excuses to hide behind, they created 'Indian conditions' all on their own. Horrendous infrastructure by bad engineering and horrible road users by non-existent licensing regulation.

'Indian Conditions' didn't suddenly drop out of the sky one fine morning.

[balajisv]

Originally Posted by Games Goblin

Seeing how all of the entry level hatchbacks have failed the test, I am wondering what is the most affordable car in India one can buy right now which does pass the Global NCAP? Is it the VW Polo?

It could be the Tiago as well! Well, hope so!

[saket77]

Originally Posted by aaggoswami

Kwid : Renault reinforces only driver side which is a complete nonsense. And what's the proof that this will be adhered to in regular production ?

This is as much stupid as clever! Renault has probably tried to play a little too smart but couldn't manage it anyway. I'm using the word clever because these crash tests are done with 40% offset head-on (driver side is crashed) & Renault knows this. They beefed up the driver's side very smartly to perform somewhat better in the test but as it turns out to be, it didn't help.

Just finished watching 2 back to back discussions on Zee news regarding car safety. Probably for the first time, the matter has been taken to general public in this way. I hope at least some people get influenced positively. But journalists being journalists, they stressed only on terminologies like ABS, airbags, ESC etc. and missed to cover the main stuff: The body shell and design. But at least, the word is now being spread in public unlike last time when other Indian cars failed the test.

Regards
Saket.

[shobhitk]

Originally Posted by saket77

Just finished watching 2 back to back discussions on Zee news regarding car safety. Probably for the first time, the matter has been taken to general public in this way. I hope at least some people get influenced positively.

Zee News has adequately covered the story about the cars failing in the NCAP car crash tests.

Apart from the failure of the cars in meeting the stringent safety standards, the following important aspects were also highlighted:-

• around 400 persons die everyday in road accidents.
• 18 % road accidents deaths are attributed to car crashes.
• as such around 72 persons die everyday in car crashes.
• A study shows that 36 % deaths in car crashes can be prevented if air bags are installed in all the vehicles.

The Supreme Court has been instrumental in mandating stricter Euro 2 norms in India. SC has also been responsible for banning big diesel cars in Delhi and plying of taxies, responsible for polluting the environment.


No wonder if the Government fails to legislate stricter safety norms for the vehicles, the Courts may step up to put the house in order.

[YashD]

Just read Maruti Suzuki India's response to Global NCAP's crash test results, quoting the same below.

Maruti’s chairman, Mr. RC Bhargava, however questioned the standards set for Indian cars by an organization such as the Global NCAP. He said – “Why should we listen to them [Global NCAP]?”

Is this the way to respond to such tests? Extremely disappointed and shocked to hear it! Firstly, all your vehicles have failed NCAP tests miserably, instead of improving the quality, increasing the safety awareness among consumers and promoting safety features in vehicles he is questioning GLOBAL NCAP! Is this guy even serious!

Source: http://indianautosblog.com/2016/05/m...al-ncap-232209

[sabirsalam]

In light of this news, shouldn't the Kwid be stripped off the "Teambhp car of the year" title?

[shobhitk]

Originally Posted by sabirsalam

In light of this news, shouldn't the Kwid be stripped off the "Teambhp car of the year" title?

Kwid is a path breaking car. It should be allowed to improve and grow in the light of the NCAP tests.

There are so many other factors, apart from air bags and structural issues , leading to accidents - alcohol, tiredness,over speeding, driving without seat belts and lack of sleep being few of them. Out of average 400 person getting killed on road everyday, 72 die on account of car crash.

most of the car crash deaths happen to SUVs and those cars which have capacity to move real quick and fast. Kwid reportedly finds it tough to reach 100 KMPH speed or indulge in quick pickup at high speed, making it comparatively a safer car.

Till a legislation or an self imposed mandate by industry, comes in force to ensure air bags in every car, we can hope that the NCAP tests will lead to public awareness so that the car makers are forced to provide air bags and other structural improvements for better safety in cars.

[shashanka]

Originally Posted by shobhitk

Kwid is a path breaking car. It should be allowed to improve and grow in the light of the NCAP tests.

There are so many other factors, apart from air bags and structural issues , leading to accidents - alcohol, tiredness,over speeding, driving without seat belts and lack of sleep being few of them. Out of average 400 person getting killed on road everyday, 72 die on account of car crash.

most of the car crash deaths happen to SUVs and those cars which have capacity to move real quick and fast. Kwid reportedly finds it tough to reach 100 KMPH speed or indulge in quick pickup at high speed, making it comparatively a safer car.

Till a legislation or an self imposed mandate by industry, comes in force to ensure air bags in every car, we can hope that the NCAP tests will lead to public awareness so that the car makers are forced to provide air bags and other structural improvements for better safety in cars.

Pardon my saying this, but in our country "a self-imposed mandate by industry" is classic jargon for that well-known "patli galli" escape route for the culpable. But regarding the rest of your post I am very much in agreement - banning the Kwid should not become another case of throwing the baby out with the bathwater.

[SmartCat]

Originally Posted by shobhitk

Zee News has adequately covered the story about the cars failing in the NCAP car crash tests.

Apart from the failure of the cars in meeting the stringent safety standards, the following important aspects were also highlighted:-
[*]18 % road accidents deaths are attributed to car crashes.[*]as such around 72 persons die everyday in car crashes.

This is wrong data.

Something like 60% of road deaths are of pedestrians and cyclists. 25% of other two wheelers. Trucks, commercial vehicles carrying passengers (Tempo Trax, Travellers, tractors, Omnis) & buses account for a significant percentage of remaining deaths. A quick Google search (or even checking the page 3 for a month of your newspaper for traffic related deaths ) will confirm the above.

Our car penetration is not deep enough to cause 72 car passenger deaths a day. I would expect the real percentage to be just 2 or 3%.

However -

What 18% statistics could mean is that car crashing into pedertrians, cyclists and other two wheelers could have caused 18% of deaths.

[shobhitk]

Originally Posted by smartcat

Our car penetration is not deep enough to cause 72 car passenger deaths a day. I would expect the real percentage to be just 2 or 3%.

However -

What 18% statistics could mean is that car crashing into pedertrians, cyclists and other two wheelers could have caused 18% of deaths.

these figures were derived from a TV show, aired only yesterday. India's contribution to the road accident deaths is highest in the world.

probably the real figures may emerge only from the official sources like Police, Transport department or NCRB ( National Crime Record Bureau)

[lurker]

It seems to me that the Global NCAP is being too sly and have selected cars that they already know will invariably NOT pass any test at the mandated 64 kmph. This shock value will garner them many eyeballs and revenue in future it seems. Because they are adament enough not to test any models that may pass the test.

No organisation should be considered clean and without bias. But in any case the less said about our car manufacturers the better. I have always felt how Indian cars have such high fuel efficiency without any breakthrough technology when the same US and EU models advertise far higher miles per gallon consumption figures. And the americans constantly scream that they are sold cars that are inherently non-fuel efficient and diesels are not given priority etc. Our guys just found a neat shortcut, reduce safety, no one will know anyways. Organisations like ARAI have also been conmplicit in certifying dozens of maruti and hyundai tincans while rejecting imports on guise of homologation.

[CrAzY dRiVeR]

Originally Posted by shobhitk

Kwid reportedly finds it tough to reach 100 KMPH speed or indulge in quick pickup at high speed, making it comparatively a safer car.

Had to read once again, as I couldn't believe it first time. Please watch the video to see what happens at 60. Forget 100 kmph!

Not only that, the tests are conducted by smashing into a wall. Now imagine crashing into another oncoming car that also was traveling at 60kmph.

Now imagine crashing into a heavy SUV traveling at 60kmph. Kwid is not a comparatively safer car because it's got a weak engine. That just makes it an underpowered car!

[sanchari]

Originally Posted by lurker

It seems to me that the Global NCAP is being too sly and have selected cars that they already know will invariably NOT pass any test at the mandated 64 kmph. This shock value will garner them many eyeballs and revenue in future it seems. Because they are adament enough not to test any models that may pass the test.
...

Irrespective of that, the point remains that most of the vehicles chosen are all high volume ones, selling more than 3000+ per month, with some of them being volume sellers. If high end cars which are better were tested and they passed, it would show good results, but how many people will be able to afford those? Safety has to be from the bottom all the way to the top, from Nano/Kwid/Alto . And given that many of the drivers of these vehicles might also be first time car drivers/owners, the chances of crashes might be high too (my conjecture).

For long time, there was complacency about the safety aspects of cars on Indian roads, and this test adds a shock value , waking up people to safety aspects. In that sense, I welcome the tests by NCAP as it will only benefit Indians in the long run.

[Lobogris]

Originally Posted by shobhitk

very true. instead of looking for 'new features' in cars, it would be worthwhile to go for a pre-owned car, which might not be having rain sensing wipers or climate control but might be equipped with air bags and other life protecting features.

Actually the pre owned cars from higher segments have much more features as well.
Take an example of a 2010 Jetta bought for around 3 to 4 lakhs. It would come with 8 airbags, ESP or traction control, automatic ac, all power and auto windows, possible cruise control for highline versions and of course ABS. Highline versions do have auto headlights and rain sensing wipers as well. Similalrly, a 2010 Civic bought for a similar price would have 2 airbags, ABS and auto climte control. Yes, it might cost you an extra lakh to maintain over the next few years if things go wrong but you get a much safer vehicle with much greater comfort and status. Even a 2011 or 2012 Vento with 2 airbags and ABS can be bought for around 4 lakhs. All examples provided would have low mileage between 25k to 70k.

Of course this only works for a person looking to use their newly bought vehicle for say 5 more years. You can't expect to buy a 2010 car and then use it for 10 or 15 more years.

[giri1.8]

Originally Posted by CrAzY dRiVeR

Now imagine crashing into a heavy SUV traveling at 60kmph. Kwid is not a comparatively safer car because it's got a weak engine. That just makes it an underpowered car!

Underpowered engine would make the car more dangerous on single lane roads. Imagine overtaking powerful commercial vehicle like a Volvo bus! chances of head-on collision increases exponentially