Suzuki Every – Air con problems could cause fire
Barely few days after IAB remarked that more recalls are expected (Read – Now Hyundai recall the Sonata in US and Korea), the industry appears to be proving us right.
If you look at the faults that we have seen over these recalls, a majority of them are to do with systems or designs that have become complex with technology advancement or generations.
This raises three questions -
A/ Are testing methods for new technologies and mechanical designs insufficient? Is it a case of car makers compromising on passenger safety in a race to introduce new technology and designs in the market?
B/ Are existing safety/ testing regulations inadequate? We know of the stringent crash tests (like Euro NCAP, incidentally this rewards cars that employ electronic stability control and speed control) but what about technologies like the air con and steering systems? Is it time to create a regulation on these designs?
C/ Can mechanical designs and technologies such as Airbags, ABS, ESP etc be standardized? Take F1 for example. The McLaren ECU is standardized for all teams. This helps F1 and FIA regulate all cars. In my opinion standardization is the way to the future. It reduces development and testing costs. All manufacturers can then compete on the actual competitive factors of automobiles (i.e Product design, engine performance and value proposition).Just a thought to car makers.
Read MoreSee Also:
- Suzuki A-Star launched in Morocco as Celerio
- Suzuki Splash goes on sale in Japan
- Suzuki at Geneva 2009- Suzuki Alto and Splash with Start-Stop
