Transport minister appeals to carmakers to offer 6 airbags

Ultimately, it will depend on how much the consumer is willing to pay for the added safety.

Nitin Gadkari, Minister for Road Transport and Highways has appealed to carmakers to provide 6 airbags as standard across all variants of their vehicles.

In a Twitter post, the minister stated that in the interest of passenger safety, he has appealed to all private vehicle manufacturers to compulsorily provide a minimum of 6 airbags across all variants and segments of vehicles.

The government had made it mandatory for all carmakers to provide a driver side airbag on all passenger cars from July 1, 2019. From April 1, 2021, all new cars have started coming with a front passenger airbag as well.

Some cars sold in India come equipped with 4 airbags, while higher variants get 6 airbags. But, installing more airbags in entry-level models would increase their cost. Ultimately, it will depend on how much the consumer is willing to pay for the added safety, as RC Bhargava, Chairman, Maruti Suzuki, rightly pointed out.

Source: ET Auto