French auto major Renault's popular entry-level car in India, Kwid showed only limited progress in safety rating, scoring only one star for adult occupant protection in a crash test, according to automobile safety agency Global NCAP.
The agency, which also tested Honda's multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) Mobilio, said basic version of the model showed a stable structure, but rated zero stars for adult occupant protection, while the variant with double airbags achieved three stars for adult occupant protection.
"Results for India's 'car of the year', the Renault Kwid, surprised and disappointed Global NCAP. After poor results earlier this year and following Renault's latest set of improvements, Kwid was assessed again in the frontal impact test and the model still offers just one star for adult occupant protection," the agency said in a statement.
It further said the standard version of Renault Kwid is offered without airbags and has been tested by Global NCAP in the past.
"The basic version of the car scored zero stars for adult occupant protection and two stars for child occupant protection. The latest version and the most highly equipped safety levels, includes an airbag only for the driver and a seatbelt pretensioner for the driver's seat.
"During the test, this version still showed high chest deflection, explaining the one star rating in the driver seat," it said.
Global NCAP said it tested the Honda Mobilio in the basic version, showing a stable structure and zero stars for adult occupant protection.
"Honda requested Global NCAP to test a unit with double airbags in order to show the benefits of these safety systems. The car achieved three stars for adult occupant protection," it added.
Commenting on findings, Global NCAP Secretary General David Ward said: "Renault has made limited progress, they should be offering their one star car as the standard version, not an option. Honda too has shown that with two airbags, they can achieve 3 stars. These safety systems should not be options."
He further said: "Renault and Honda make safe cars in other markets, they have the know-how to make all their Indian cars much safer. We expect them to start doing so now."
When contacted, a Renault India spokesperson said: "Safety is of paramount importance for Renault and all our products meet and exceed the requisite safety standards set by Indian regulatory authorities. India is gradually moving towards international safety norms by including more robust safety regulations and the assurance of the Bharat NCAP is a positive step in this direction.
Stating that it fully supports this initiative, Renault
said: "We are already future-ready in terms of technology, design and engineering for enhanced safety for all our vehicles. Indian government has announced that the crash test regulation for the existing cars will come into effect in 2019 and for the new cars in 2017. Renault fully supports this."
A Honda Cars India spokesperson said: "All Honda vehicles produced in India meet or exceed the safety standards set by the Indian regulatory authorities. Safety features like airbags are applied as per regulations and market preferences, which are a function of driving conditions and driving habits."
The spokesperson further said: "As per the dynamics of the changes in the market requirements, we appropriately respond to customer interests and needs. Accordingly, we have already announced our safety direction in India and all Honda vehicles in our line-up will be equipped with dual SRS airbags as standard by April 2017.
