The Global New Cars Assessment Program (NCAP) conducted a series of crash tests with many India-spec cars this year, and as expected the results were disappointing. There are many factors responsible when it comes to a vehicle's safety and the manufacturer isn't solely responsible for that.
Ever wonder just how many buyers consciously opt for safety features? We have some data from Maruti Suzuki that doesn’t paint a pretty picture.
Maruti Suzuki offers airbags and ABS with 11 of its models, either as standard or as an optional extra. However, as per the carmaker's data, only 37 per cent of the brand’s customers are opting for the added safety tech (driver airbag/dual airbag/ABS with EBD). Even in this minority share, the primary contributors are models like the Baleno, S-Cross and Vitara Brezza, which get certain safety features as standard.
The Alto, which accounts for nearly 16 per cent of Maruti’s domestic sales, is offered with an optional driver airbag. Only a meagre 5 per cent of the model’s buyers opted for the feature, which costs an additional Rs 6,000. The number is only slightly better with WagonR customers, with 15 per cent of them opting for dual airbags. Combined, the WagonR and Alto contribute to around 30 per cent of Maruti Suzuki’s sales.
Some might argue that dual airbags and ABS should be offered as standard so customers have no choice but to buy safer cars. However, buyers in entry level car segments are price sensitive and if motorists refrain from spending a few thousand rupees for life-saving technology, manufacturers get an argument against the investment.
It looks like this is a trend that can only be broken with the government enforcing more stringent norms.
Source: CarDekho.com
