[wheelguy]

Giving an example of Tata and Mahindra achieving 5-star ratings for their cars, David Ward, CEO and President of Global NCAP, challenged Maruti Suzuki, and other manufacturers to make 5-star rated cars in India.

Speaking on the sidelines of awarding the Tata Altroz its 5-star rating on its launch day, David Ward, CEO and president of Global NCAP, urged other OEMs to follow the example set by Tata Motors and Mahindra in making cars safer. He particularly said that it will be a big challenge for the country’s largest passenger car maker, Maruti Suzuki, to step up and deliver 5-star rated cars. He also added that Global OEMs in India like VW and Toyota don’t have any excuse for not having 5-star models in their local lineup.

Maruti’s safest model currently is the Vitara Brezza which has a 4-star rating for adult occupants. Will the next new car from Maruti be able to join the ever-growing 5-star club?

The recently implemented safety regulations which mandates a lot of standard features like ABS, airbags are bound to improve the overall crash performance of passenger cars in India but for a car to achieve a 5-star rating, its structure needs to be of high integrity.

Speaking to carandbike on the sidelines of the Tata Altroz's launch, David Ward said, "I think it will be nice to see more manufacturers do it. I mean it's obviously a big challenge to Maruti Suzuki to join the 5-star club. Other global brands (in India), they don't really have no excuse not to be there too, companies like Volkswagen, Toyota and so on."

Link Link

[alpha1]

I am surprised there is no bombardment of advertisements (by those who have) highlighting the importance of safety rating by showing accidents.
Fear is the strongest motivator.

[Iyencar]

Originally Posted by alpha1

Fear is the strongest motivator.

In this case unfortunately it is cost and not fear. The mindset seems to be "apne ko kahaan gaadi thokna hai"/it'll never happen to us. Unless the average consumer starts voting with his wallet, there is no reason for Maruti to increase their expenses. They are a business at the end of the day and will do what they can to cut costs, ethical or not.

[AnandB]

Even though Tata and Mahindra are putting all their effort in good launches with focus on safety MS really are just milking their position and mainly because of their sales and service. Shows how much service matters when purchasing and after-sales. Although Maruti's cost excuse for not providing safer car doesn't seem justified now.

[Who_are_you]

Why can't our government adopt NCAP/EURO safety norms like emission norms(BS6). Corporate will always be greedy and try to get away with bare minimum safety. Its job of regulatory authority like ARAI to set high standards for safety and make Automobile company follow the rules.

[romeomidhun]

Good suggestion. On the same lines, GNCAP has to direct the governments and local bodies to provide good roads and sign boards in India, and to implement the rules strictly - seat belts in cars, helmets for bikers, curb rash and drunken driving, pedestrian restrictions, no over load, fitness test for older vehicles etc.

[shivamk11]

CEO of GNCAP was present at the launch of Altroz it seems. Here is an interview with him and CTO of Tata Motors. Seems like a very close partnership as Tata is more willing to provide their cars for the tests.

https://youtu.be/1E-vt5M5Eyo

[TROOPER]

Kudos to Tata and Mahindra (SsangYong tbh) for their recent achievements. On Tata now to play to their strengths.

High time Indians ditch the 'kitna deti hai?' mentality and start asking 'kitna jhel sakti hai?'

As far as Maruti is concerned, well, they should consider selling every car in their line up with Coca-Cola decals. They're equally responsible in nudging Indians to be overly mileage conscious. Being the market leader, they should have started what Tata is doing now long ago.

[CrAzY dRiVeR]

Originally Posted by Iyencar

In this case unfortunately it is cost and not fear, unfortunately. The mindset seems to be "apne ko kahaan gaadi thokna hai"/it'll never happen to us.

Pain always wins attention over pleasure.

It's just that the pain threshold hasn't been breached for most people so that they give up the pleasure of getting a good FE for every refill. Like you said - most people believe that the pain will not affect them - just yet!

A good marketing campaign can actually make a difference. The focus has to be on the emotion of making it safely back home, rather than the number of stars achieved by the products.

Originally Posted by Who_are_you

Why can't our government adopt NCAP/EURO safety norms like emission norms(BS6).

Originally Posted by romeomidhun

Good suggestion. On the same lines, GNCAP has to direct the governments and local bodies to provide good roads and sign boards in India, and to implement the rules strictly - seat belts in cars, helmets for bikers, curb rash and drunken driving, pedestrian restrictions, no over load, fitness test for older vehicles etc.

NCAP is not from the Indian government, nor even an agency dedicated to only the Indian market. Waiting for government action is useless and time-consuming, and passing the blame and responsibility of improving the country to a foreign agency isn't going to help either.

What surely will help though - is only the increasing awareness and a change in the purchase pattern of customers.

[locusjag]

Originally Posted by Who_are_you

Why can't our government adopt NCAP/EURO safety norms like emission norms(BS6). Corporate will always be greedy and try to get away with bare minimum safety. Its job of regulatory authority like ARAI to set high standards for safety and make Automobile company follow the rules.

BS6 has already set in motion a bloodbath for the automotive industry as well as for us customers (e.g., see how the highly desired Hexa seems to have gotten axed as per the latest news). One cannot imagine the hell that would ensue if the government were to make NCAP ratings mandatory; there's only so much blood that can be bled from a living being.

On the other hand, I like what Mr.David Ward is doing. He has blown the bugle for Maruti to do what's needed. Normatively, if OEMs take it upon themselves to have their new launches be GNCAP rated, it will not shake up the industry badly. Their older non-crashworthy products will also need to be sold all the while to keep their balance sheets healthy. This will need to be an evolutionary change.

[romeomidhun]

Originally Posted by CrAzY dRiVeR

NCAP is not from the Indian government, nor even an agency dedicated to only the Indian market. Waiting for government action is useless and time-consuming, and passing the blame and responsibility of improving the country to a foreign agency isn't going to help either. .

Agree completely. But if the suggestion by GNCAP to the other manufacturers can open their eyes, a similar effect may be there if they suggest the govt to act properly. And both news can be an eye-opener for the general public also.

[Reinhard]

Originally Posted by romeomidhun

Agree completely. But if the suggestion by GNCAP to the other manufacturers can open their eyes, a similar effect may be there if they suggest the govt to act properly. And both news can be an eye-opener for the general public also.

Fundamentally I agree with your point. The trouble is - we are talking of people who buy the seat-belt cheat buckles from amazon to get rid of the beep while not wearing the belt. Its the folks who's eyes aren't opening even after seeing all the accidents around them. I really wonder what will. :( Somehow our people have really crooked priorities.

[shortbread]

Just in case people do not know, India's biggest manufacturer have made their viewpoint on this topic very clear.

Cars getting expensive, unaffordable: Maruti chairman RC Bhargava


NEW DELHI: A “paralysis of decision-making” in the banking banking sector and mandate to introduce safety features such as airbags and ABS on new cars have made them costlier and out of reach of the two-wheeler rider, Maruti Chairman RC Bhargava has said, emphasising that entry four wheelers have become unaffordable to buy and maintain for the common man.

Bhargava said stipulating additional safety norms, which are prescribed in the developed countries, has no practical logic for a country like India. “The Indian car buyer is not like the European or the Japanese car buyer. The per capita income here is around $2,200, China has around $10,000, and Europe about $40,000. How do you compare with those people?

Source:
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/a...campaign=cppst

[romeomidhun]

Originally Posted by shortbread

Just in case people do not know, India's biggest manufacturer have made their viewpoint on this topic very clear.

And he is not completely off the mark. There are crores of people riding 2 wheelers in India who may be dreaming of a car for a safer journey with 4 wheels vs 2 wheels, free of rain, sun, dust and smoke. But there is no justification for providing unsafe cars higher up in the range.

Any way, one thing is clear - he is an advocate of his company, hiding under the advocate of those poor people.

[Storm2.0]

RC Bhargava's statement saying making safe cars is costly doesn't make any sense. If that's the case then how did TATA and Mahindra manage to do it without charging too much from the customers.

After David Wards challenge I expect another non-sensical reply from the Maruti chief soon. It'll be a miracle if he accepts the challenge and shows his and his team's capabilities.
And Indian customers are not dumb they are smart and very demanding. They want everything at the best price. So if the safety aspect catches their attention, Maruti and others please start preparing your coffins. Just like how touch screen, Android auto and other smart features have made their way to a buyer's desirability list in the same way the safety aspect of the car will soon see itself in that long list.

If driving on 4 wheels with bare minimum level of safety was the desire for Indians on two wheeler then Nano would've sold like hot cakes.