Autonomous body Global New Car Assessment Programme (GNCAP) has revealed to its plans to undertake new series of tests on Indian cars sometime later this year, a source has revealed. The organisation shall take final call on the subject sometime by May this year and is now currently having discussions with its partner for the 'Safer cars for India' campaign.
In the first round of test conducted sometime early last year, the agency had comprised vehicles like Hyundai i10, Tata Nano, Volkswagen Polo, Maruti Suzuki Alto 800 and the Ford Figo. Sometime later down the line last year, the agency conducted similar tests on trims like the Maruti Suzuki Swift and Datsun Go. Back then, Datsun Go had received harsh criticism over its safety, to an extent where GNCAP had also requested Nissan to withdraw the hatchback from the Indian market on an immediate basis.
Following this Datsun has now planned on introducing driver side airbags to deliver enhanced safety features. Sources have stated that GNCAP may likely conduct a fresh round of crash test on the Datsun Go hatchback. The agency may also meet Nissan officials in Japan along with other OEMs. The fresh round of tests shall gain support by Bloomberg Philanthropies' commitment of $125 million (Rs 790 crore) over the next 5 years to enhance road safety levels in multiple countries.
Source: ACP
