Global NCAP, an independent charity focused on consumer-orientated vehicle safety initiatives, has given one star rating to Bajaj Auto's quadricycle Qute in its latest round of tests of the mini four-wheelers.
"The structure of the Qute was judged to be unstable in the frontal test: many spot welds had released and deformation of the structure indicated that it could not have withstood a higher degree of loading," Global NCAP said.
There were no signs of deformation to any mounting points for the seat belt or buckle, it added.
In the side impact, the door on the struck side became detached from the A-pillar as a result of the door structure detaching from the hinges, it said.
"In the frontal impact, despite modest rearward and upward movement of the steering wheel, the dummy's head made contact with the centre of the steering wheel. There is no frontal airbag to protect the driver and dummy readings indicated a high probability of serious or fatal injury in a human as a result of this contact," Global NCAP said.
However protection of the neck was rated as good.
"Together with the unstable structure, contact with the rim of the steering wheel gave high chest compressions and the protection offered to this body area was rated as poor," it added.
Protection of the knee, femur and pelvis was also rated as poor owing to the presence of hard structures below the dashboard, Global NCAP said.
In the side impact, the force with which the head struck the side roof rail indicated a high probability of serious or fatal injury, it added.
"There is no side curtain airbag or padding in this area. Similarly, dummy readings of lateral rib compression were high and protection of chest was rated as poor. Protection of the abdomen was rated as marginal and that of the pelvis was good, with only moderate force measured by the dummy," it said.
Qute was one of the four quadricycles which were tested by the Global NCAP. The UK-based charity had first conducted tests on heavy quadricycles in 2014.
Bajaj had introduced Qute in October last year and exported a total of 334 units to 19 markets including Turkey, Russia, Indonesia and Peru in 2015-16.
Bajaj, however, continues to await clearance for the sales of Qute in India.
No immediate comments could be obtained from the Mumbai-based company.
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