The crash tests of the Maruti Swift being conducted by Global NCAP. (Image: Global NCAP)
Maruti Suzuki India’s hatchback Swift and Nissan’s Datsun GO have failed crash tests conducted by Global NCAP, showing “high risk of life-threatening injuries” but the companies say they conform to all the regulations currently applicable in India.
According to the Global NCAP, an umbrella body of consumer car safety testing bodies, crash tests of Nissan’s Datsun GO and Maruti-Suzuki’s Swift demonstrated “a high risk of life-threatening injuries with both cars receiving zero-star safety rating for their adult occupant protection”.
“These risks would be significantly reduced if the cars had to comply with the UN test regulation for frontal and side impact,” Global NCAP said.
Reacting to the development, MSI said: “The cars manufactured and sold by Maruti Suzuki in India fully conform to all the regulations that are presently applicable in India.” On similar lines, cars manufactured by Maruti Suzuki in India for export to international markets fully conform to all the regulations of the respective importing country, it added. Swift has the highest 5 star NCAP in the European market.
The crash tests of the Nissan’s Datsun GO being conducted by Global NCAP.
Nissan India operations president Guillaume Sicard said: “Datsun GO meets the required local vehicle regulations in India … Safety is important and is a key issue in India. Automotive regulation standards in fast-growing countries are constantly evolving and as a global manufacturer, we are willing to adopt as well as help evolve standards in vehicular safety standards.”
As per its test, Global NCAP said Maruti Suzuki Swift “scored zero stars for adult occupant protection and just one star for child occupant protection”.
“The Swift’s vehicle structure showed signs of collapsing in the crash and was rated as unstable,” it said, adding the test was conducted at a speed of 64 km/h. The Datsun GO also scored zero stars for adult occupant protection and just two stars for child occupant protection. “The Datsun GO’s vehicle structure collapsed in the crash and was rated as unstable,” Global NCAP said. (With PTI inputs)
