Responding to Global NCAP's crash test results released Monday on the safety preparedness of the Honda Mobilio MPV and the Renault Kwid hatchback, Honda said safety was its highest priority. According to the carmaker, all its vehicles produced in India met or exceeded the safety standards set by the Indian regulatory authorities.
“As per the dynamics of the changes in the market requirements, we appropriately respond to customer interests and needs," a Honda Cars India (HCIL) spokesperson said. He added that the star ratings released were for the two variants of the Mobilio, including the V grade equipped with dual front airbags and another base variant without airbags. In both the tests, the Mobilio body was found to be stable and survival space for passengers was maintained after the collision, with no A-pillar collapse."
Honda also announced that it was equipping all its vehicles in India with dual SRS airbags as standard by April 2017. "Airbags are applied as per regulations and market preferences, which are a function of driving conditions and driving habits," the spokesperson said.
On Monday's results, he added that the opening and shutting of doors were possible after the collision, which was an important factor in rescue operations. This result was achieved with Honda’s original vehicle body structure, advanced compatibility engineering body, which is applied to all Honda models across the world and takes care of the most inherent safety requirement of its cars.
Renault India's response
Renault India in a statement released on the Kwid test results said, “Safety is of paramount importance for Renault and all our products meet and exceed the requisite safety standards set by Indian regulatory authorities. India is gradually moving towards international safety norms by including more robust safety regulations and the assurance of the Bharat NCAP is a positive step in this direction."
In May 2016, the standard version of the Renault Kwid that came without airbags was tested by Global NCAP. The basic version of the car scored zero stars for adult occupant protection and two stars for child occupant protection. Following Renault’s latest set of improvements, the Kwid was assessed again in the frontal impact test and found to still offer just one star for adult occupant protection. The latest version and the most highly equipped safety levels include an airbag only for the driver and a seatbelt pretensioner for the driver’s seat.
India has announced that the crash test regulation for existing cars will come into effect in 2019 and for new cars in 2017. The Renault statement, however, added that the carmaker was already future-ready in terms of technology, design and engineering for enhanced safety for all its vehicles.
Viraaj Bhatnagar
Dipan Sur
Glenn Noronha
Dhruv Dhaka
