India plans passenger car safety rating system
India will introduce a passenger car safety rating system – a measure it hopes will encourage manufacturers to provide advanced safety features and increase the “export worthiness” of vehicles produced in the country.
The road transport ministry said in a statement it will award cars a rating of one to five stars, based on tests assessing adult and child occupant protection and safety assist technology.
The new system is expected to go into effect in April 2023.
India, which has some of the world’s deadliest roads, has also proposed requiring all passenger cars to have six airbags, despite opposition from some automakers who say it will increase vehicle costs. Current rules require two airbags – one for the driver and one for the front passenger.
India is the world’s fifth largest car market, with annual sales of about 30 lakh units per year. Maruti Suzuki, most of which is owned by Japan’s Suzuki Motor, and Hyundai Motor are the top-selling automakers.
