[ChiragM]

According to a media report, Maruti will not send cars to Global NCAP for crash tests.

Talking to EVW soon after the unveil of the Futuro-e, CV Raman, Senior Executive Director – Engineering of Maruti Suzuki India, when we asked him if the company like competitors (the most recent example is the Tata Altroz) would give vehicles to GNCAP to have them tested, said:

“As far as Maruti Suzuki is concerned, we believe that all safety regulations which are mandated by the government and the recently introduced offset side impact and pedestrian regulation we are meeting..going forward SIAM as a body with the manufacturer are working to bring out the BNCAP. Anything that is led or driven by the government and recognized by the government is something that we would be definitely looking at. Any other agency, it’s okay for the strategy of other manufacturers but Maruti Suzuki would like to work within the ambit of the Indian government regulations.”

GNCAP came down heavily on Maruti Suzuki saying that India’s best-selling car, the Alto 800, failed to meet the minimum standard. It said that the vehicle structure was “inadequate and collapsed to varying degrees, resulting in high risks of life-threatening injuries to the occupants.” Both the Eeco and the Alto were awarded 0 stars out of a maximum 5.

The company’s Vitara Brezza, the best performing Maruti car tested by GNCAP, was awarded 4 stars for adult occupant protection and 2 stars for child occupant protection. GNCAP lauded Maruti in 2018 stating that cars like the Vitara Brezza and Tata Nexon “are clear evidence of the steady improvement in the Indian automotive industry and show a significant potential for much safer cars in the near future.”

Maruti’s Heartect frame models however diluted the agency’s expectation – the Ertiga tested in October 2019 scored three starts for adult occupant protection and three stars for child occupant protection. The structure was rated as a “borderline unstable performance which can and should be improved,” adding that the head and neck protection for adult occupants was good. The Swift tested a year earlier, gave a 2-star performance in both tests and so did the Wagon R.

SIAM has accused GNCAP in the past of scaremongering by publishing results of cars which were never claimed to meet their standards. The national body that represents the auto industry was of the opinion that GNCAP is not a standards-setting body and is a private NGO with its own benchmarks for vehicle safety.

Source

[nkrishnap]

Even if it is a rumour, this is not surprising at all knowing how the cars would fare especially at the bottom end of the price range like the Celerio, Alto, Spresso, Wagon R.

What should make them sit up and take it more seriously is the crash test norms that would be applicable here? Unless the standards are up to the international standards, Maruti will rule the roost and laugh all the way to the bank.

[zhopudey]

I seriously doubt that the upcoming safety standards will do anything that will negatively affect 50% of the existing cars. It'll mostly be about simple stuff like adding airbags.

[paragsachania]

Maruti Suzuki India Ltd. has the most vital safety in place called Hazard and headlights by using which a car can remain collison free even on a one way road .

This will affect their already sinking repute even more! Slowly and steadily, buyers are becoming safety conscious and thanks to the advent of online media and social media channels, the awareness is even more.

A cry baby not wanting to attend exams because it isn't prepared to give its best try, because it simply cannot face it.

[saket77]

If NCAP wants to test, don't they also 'arrange' their own cars for the test? A manufacturer can send either their cars willfully for the test (of course, self-confidence matters here) or if NCAP wants to test, they can pick one from the market and test them. Having said that, I think only a handful number of Indian manufacturers have sent their cars willfully to NCAP for the test. Tata and Mahindra come to my mind; apart from VW which sent their own Polo with dual airbags after receiving poor score in the non-airbag version. Apart from them (read Maruti & Hyundai) probably have not sent their cars voluntarily.

[CrAzY dRiVeR]

Originally Posted by saket77

If NCAP wants to test, don't they also 'arrange' their own cars for the test?

Crash testing cars is an expensive procedure, and Global NCAP surely can't test all the cars available in the Indian market. They make a selection based on the relevance to the market - from across different manufacturers and models.

The costs for these tests are picked up by the members organizations supporting the NCAP. However, a manufacturer can also volunteer to have their cars tested - picking up the bill for these tests as well. This could be for market advantage and branding purposes - like how TATA seems to have done (IMHO) with the Altroz.

Maruti is certainly not going down that path - why dig their own hole? We will get to know the truth only when random models are picked up by the NCAP for tests.

On a lighter note -

I wouldn't be surprised if the team responsible for ensuring safety in the Vitara Brezza was fired immediately for misappropriating company assets, when it came to light that the car was actually safe on the roads and not just in the brochure.

[wheelguy]

Speaking to Electric Vehicle Web on the sidelines of the Auto Expo 2020, CV Raman, Senior Executive Director, Maruti Suzuki, stated that the company will not be voluntarily sending its vehicles to be tested by Global-NCAP. His exact words were, “As far as Maruti Suzuki is concerned, we believe that all safety regulations which are mandated by the government and the recently introduced offset side impact and pedestrian regulation we are meeting..going forward SIAM as a body with the manufacturer are working to bring out the BNCAP. Anything that is led or driven by the government and recognized by the government is something that we would be definitely looking at. Any other agency, it’s okay for the strategy of other manufacturers but Maruti Suzuki would like to work within the ambit of the Indian government regulations.

That's a classic reply by Maruti.

Source

[K_Drive]

Nothing wrong in what they said. IMHO, I don't think it deserves separate thread. This has been discussed multiple times.

[condor]

The way Maruti has put out this statement, they seem to be thinking that Indian and GNCAP are as different as chalk and cheese. I dont think Bharat Safety norms are going to be so watered down that Maruti will get 5* ratings for their cars.

[PPS]

Originally Posted by CrAzY dRiVeR

Crash testing cars is an expensive procedure, and Global NCAP surely can't test all the cars available in the Indian market.

One of its competitors can still send Maruti cars like Ciaz/Baleno to GNCAP for testing,right?
I know it maybe a bit cheeky but perhaps Tata should do it & showcase its new tagline of building 'India's safest cars'.

[alpha1]

Originally Posted by condor

The way Maruti has put out this statement, they seem to be thinking that Indian and GNCAP are as different as chalk and cheese. I dont think Bharat Safety norms are going to be so watered down that Maruti will get 5* ratings for their cars.

You underestimate the power of corporates.
Especially a market leader.

It is quite understandable why they have taken this stance. As a market leader they have to be fearful of anything that might upset their applecart.

we believe that all safety regulations which are mandated by the government and the recently introduced offset side impact and pedestrian regulation we are meeting

Please blame the Govt of India which had been twiddling its thumbs till now, instead of a seller who, naturally, would never want to increase his manufacturing cost in a competitive market.

[SaiSW]

I do think the Indian crash test norms will be watered down in some way or the other. If I remember correctly, they, sometime ago, said that their cars are all easily compliant with the upcoming crash test norms, and then we all say the swift failing miserably in the GNCAP test.

Maybe I will be proved wrong, but I have a gut feeling that I will not be.

[AutoNoob]

Originally Posted by wheelguy

That's a classic reply by Maruti.

Originally Posted by condor

The way Maruti has put out this statement, they seem to be thinking that Indian and GNCAP are as different as chalk and cheese. I dont think Bharat Safety norms are going to be so watered down that Maruti will get 5* ratings for their cars.

Originally Posted by SaiSW

they, sometime ago, said that their cars are all easily compliant with the upcoming crash test norms, and then we all say the swift failing miserably in the GNCAP test.

In such a long, probably rehearsed, statement, he avoided to mention one key parameter. The speed at which a key test is carried out.

Indian/ EU regulations : Offset Frontal Crash @ 56kmph
GNCAP/ENCAP : Offset Frontal Crash @ 64kmph

Though speed difference may seem just 8kmph, but it really brings out the difference between a solidly built car and a tin can; and gives good indication how the two vehicles will behave in real world scenario.

I just pray that the government is not influenced by cartel HQ (SIAM) and waterdown the BNCAP test criteria.

[zhopudey]

Originally Posted by AutoNoob

I just pray that the government is not influenced by cartel HQ (SIAM) and waterdown the BNCAP test criteria.

How optimistic The way Maruti is completely unfazed by gncap, seems they are fully aware of what our govt is going to propose. Maruti isn't one to be caught unaware with its pants down.

[SaiSW]

Originally Posted by zhopudey

How optimistic The way Maruti is completely unfazed by gncap, seems they are fully aware of what our govt is going to propose. Maruti isn't one to be caught unaware with its pants down.

I think they know the upcoming test is more than safe for their tin cans to get a sub-decent score. Otherwise, as you said, suzuki isn't a company that frequently gets caught off-guard.