Maruti Swift, Datsun GO fail Global NCAP safety test

Popular car models Maruti Suzuki Swift and Nissan Datsun Go failed the recently held independent impact tests, a global car safety watchdog has claimed. 

Global NCAP, an umbrella body of consumer car safety testing, conducted these tests and claimed that both these cars failed miserably on this critical safety count. It added that while India is now the fifth-largest producer of passenger cars, these tests prove the country should adopt internationally-accepted safety norms. 

"India has the potential to be a world leader in the automobile industry,but Indian consumers are not aware of how unsafe they are in case of a crash. It is critical for the safety of the passenger. We are pleased that India is launching an NCAP consumer testing programme. If this happens, every new car sold in India would have a proper crash structure and airbags," Global NCAP chairman Max Mosley said. 

The Maruti Swift received a zero star rating in the 64 km/h frontal collision test. While the Datsun Go also failed, it fared slightly better with a two-star rating. The testing agency said that both the cars showed the crash-test dummies received near-fatal injuries,and the shells of their bodies disintegrated. 

This comes in the wake of some Indian small cars—Tata Nano, Maruti Suzuki's Alto 800 and the Hyundaii10—failed to clear Globa lNCAP's crash tests in January this year. Auto manufacturers, however, argued that cars sold here fully conform to all safety standards currently applicable in India. And it's the same with cars that are manufactured and exported from here. 

Meanwhile, under the proposed new legislation on road safety, Road Transport and Safety Bill, the ministry of road transport and highways has called for setting up of an all-India NCAP and adoption of safety standards to make cars more safe and pave the way for adopting global crash safety norms.