A crash safety rating for Indian-made vehicles is now in the works. Three of the country’s largest automakers, Mahindra & Mahindra, Maruti Suzuki, and Toyota, have praised the impending Bharat New Car Assessment Programme (BNCAP) rating, calling it a “bold step in the right direction” for the domestic car industry. According to Velusamy R, president of Mahindra & Mahindra’s Automotive Technology and Product Development, “We at Mahindra believe it is one of the bold steps taken by the Ministry of Road Transport, and we welcome the implementation of Bharat NCAP.” He also stated that the MoRTH’s initiatives to provide safer automobile models to Indian consumers would encourage OEMs to engage in healthy competition. According to PTI, the government plans to launch the program on October 1, 2023. In a planned overhaul to the BNCAP, the government contemplates granting ‘Star Ratings’ to automobiles based on how well they do in crash tests. To participate in the BNCAP, automakers, and importers must complete FORM 70-A and submit it to the federal government’s approved agency. According to the report, the selected agency’s vehicles will be star-rated under AIS-197, as amended occasionally. The vehicle’s star rating from the recognized agency must be made public on the official website. It should be emphasised that participation in the BNCAP is entirely optional. Rahul Bharti, Executive Officer (Corporate Affairs) at Maruti Suzuki India, expressed the company’s enthusiasm for the impending BNCAP. Supplying customers with information and power through accurate information is always a good concept, and Maruti Suzuki would support it. Bharat-NCAP is an excellent idea. While the industry has been actively promoting new benchmark safety standards, a representative for Toyota Kirloskar Motor noted that customers are increasingly becoming more conscious of the need for enhanced safety features. Similarly, Petr Solc, brand director for Skoda Auto India, thanked the Indian government for prioritising safety rules and regulations. The car’s architecture and several active and passive safety systems protect the driver and their family from harm. He stressed that Skoda would continue to prioritise safety to improve its market share in India. Tata Motors and Kia India also support the next effort.
