Nissan countering Datsun Go safety concerns

To counter the results of the Global New Car Assessment Programme (G-NCAP) tests that give the Datsun Go a zero star rating (indicating that it is unsafe to drive), the company has asked its dealerships to highlight the various safety features in the car and also the fact that the car is safe.

The NCAP findings, released in early November, created a stir of sorts and it was reported that Max Mosley, the head of Global NCAP, had written to the head of Renault-Nissan, Carlos Ghosn, asking him to withdraw the Go from India and other markets.

From Nissan’s point of view, these NCAP results created ‘some confusion’ at its dealerships. So, to clear such confusion and convince potential customer to buy the Go, Nissan has trained its staff in dealerships to handle customer concerns effectively and highlight the car's safety credentials.

As part of the training, sales executives have been told to highlight the advantage of a collapsible steering column that the Go has. A collapsible steering column prevents injuries to the driver when the car meets with a frontal impact. Dealership personnel have been trained to talk about the Go's features such as it having the shortest braking distance in its class, a larger glass area for better visibility and wide headlamps for night driving that can ensure a safe drive.

A Nissan spokesperson did not elaborate on training details but said, "As a regular process, our dealerships are trained on all aspects of the product that is launched in the market. We constantly refresh training material as per the requirements."

Dealerships have also been made aware of the fact that the Datsun Go is not the only car that got a zero star rating in the G-NCAP tests. Sales of the Datsun Go in the months to come will show how effectively the personnel at Nissan/Datsun dealerships have managed to assuage concerns about the car’s safety and convince potential Datsun Go customers that the car is well worth buying. Nissan launched the Go towards the end of March this year. It has only launched the top-end version of the car priced at Rs 3.68 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi).