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India Small Cars Flunk NCAP Crash Tests
Five best-selling minicars in India have failed to earn a single star in the five-star ratings for crash protection from Global NCAP.
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Five best-selling minicars in India have failed to earn a single star in the five-star ratings for crash protection from Global NCAP. The nonprofit safety group provides crashworthiness data for consumers in emerging markets.
The first-ever series of tests measured the effect of a frontal impact at 64 kph (40 mph) for the Suzuki-Maruti Alto 800, Ford Figo, Hyundai i10, Tata Nano and Volkswagen Polo. Those models account for about 20% of all car sales in India.
All five cars none of which is equipped with standard airbags have a "high risk of life-threatening injuries" in a crash, according to Global NCAP.
The crash structures of the Alto 800, Nano and i10 are so weak that adding airbags would offer little benefit, according to the organization.
Global NCAP says the Ford and VW models do have adequate strength, and it notes that the airbag-equipped version of the Polo earned a four-star rating in NCAP tests. After seeing the results, VW will stop offering a non-airbag version of the Polo in India, the testing group says.
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