Nitin Gadkari questioned the sincerity of major automakers in providing dissimilar safety features for India compared to other global markets.
View PhotosNitin Gadkari recently attended Safety Pioneers Conference organised by Intel India.
In a major boost to enhance the existing safety protocols in all passenger vehicles, Nitin Gadkari, Minister of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), had announced the approval of a draft notification for Bharat NCAP or New Car Assessment Programme, which would test the crashworthiness of PVs sold in India by giving them star ratings based on performance. However, a few automakers said this plan would make cars more expensive and drive out a chunk of potential buyers. In response, Gadkari questioned the sincerity of these manufacturers in providing dissimilar safety features for India compared to other global markets.
Also Read: Nitin Gadkari Approves Bharat NCAP; Cars In India To Get Safety Rating Based On Crash Tests
At a conference organised by a major IT company in the capital recently, Gadkari, while speaking to the media, said, “We have taken a decision for mandatory provision of six airbags in cars, even in the economic models. Now, some companies are making cars in India which are not up to the International standards. But they are making cars of the same model, which comply with the International standards, for the foreign market. I can never understand this.”
(Maruti Chairman R C Bhargava said that the company may look to cease production of small cars if 6-airbags for small cars becomes a compulsory rule in the coming months)
Also Read: India’s Mandatory Airbag Proposal Will Hurt Sales, Says Maruti Chairman RC Bhargava
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The response is possibly directed at Maruti Suzuki India’s Chairman, R.C. Bhargava who had highlighted that such a move would make cars more expensive and drive out a chunk of potential buyers, making it unfeasible for the common population. Bhargava also said that the company would not waver from ceasing production of small cars if the mandate for compulsory 6-airbags becomes a rule in the coming months since it won’t remain economically feasible for the company.
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