In a not-so-shocking revelation, the first-ever independent crash test ratings of some of India's most popular hatchbacks have received 0-star adult protection ratings when subjected to frontal impact tests at 64 kph. All but one of the five models tested also failed the UN's basic safety test. The global plan for UN's decade of action for road safety recommends that all member states apply this test, but India hasn't, yet.
The cars tested include Maruti Alto 800, Ford Figo, VW Polo, Hyundai i10 and Tata Nano. These cars were chosen because they account for over 20 percent of all car sales in India. Max Mosley, former president of FIA and current chairman of Global NCAP says, "It is worrying to see levels of safety that are 20 years behind the five-star standards now common in Europe and North America".
A report released by Global NCAP, the independent agency that conducted the tests, has been made available to IndianAutosBlog and suffice to say that the report makes for dismal reading. For instance, one of the conclusions in the report is that a combination of sound structural integrity and airbags as standard equipment is a sure way to exceed the minimum UN crash test standard at 56 kph. They also offer adequate levels of protection in a higher crash speed of 64 kph, the report concludes.
All cars were purchased by Global NCAP in dealerships in India and exported to Germany where it was tested at ADAC, the country's largest motoring organisation. Manufacturers were invited to view the tests which were carried out by experts.
The damning report goes on to say that the Alto 800, i10 and Nano had such structural weaknesses that even fitting airbags would not be effective in reducing the risk of serious injury. The structures in these three cars, the report says, proved inadequate and collapsed to various degrees.
All cars had frontal crash tests conducted at 64 kph to test for adult protection rating. The UN's test was conducted at 54 kph. All cars except the Ford Figo failed this UN test. Following are the report's comments on individual models:
Maruti Alto 800
The Alto 800 received a zero-star rating for its adult protection. The vehicle's structure was rated unstable making it unsuitable for fitting air bags.
[Can't view the video? Head to Youtube]
Using the child-protection seat recommended by the OEM gets the Alto 800 a two-star rating for child protection.
Tata Nano
The Tata Nano received a zero-star rating for its adult protection and it was impossible to install child seats in the car, giving it a zero-star rating for child protection as well.
[Can't view the video? Head to Youtube]
An unstable vehicle structure left no way to fit airbags.
Hyundai i10
The Hyundai i10 also received a zero-star rating for adult protection and its structure was rated unstable.
[Can't view the video? Head to Youtube]
Use of the child seats recommended by Hyundai resulted in a one-star rating for child protection and the three-year old dummy indicated a high risk of serious injury.
Ford Figo
The Ford Figo too received zero-star rating for adult protection. However, its structure was rated as stable, but without fitting airbags, too much of the crash energy was absorbed directly by the dummies.
[Can't view the video? Head to Youtube]
Using Ford recommended child seats gave it a two-star rating for child protection.
VW Polo
Without any air bags, the VW Polo received a zero-star rating despite its structure rated stable.
[Can't view the video? Head to Youtube]
With two airbags (Driver and front passenger), the Polo managed a four-star rating. Using VW recommended child seats got the Polo a three-star rating for child protection.
[Can't view the video? Head to Youtube]
It is to be noted that VW has withdrawn the sales of Polo without airbags in India, offering it as standard across the Polo range.
Full Global NCAP report
[Can't see the pdf? Head to SlideShare]
[Can't see the file? Head to SlideShare]
Global NCAP Q&A report
[Can't see the file? Head to SlideShare]
