South Korean automobile company Hyundai has announced to make six airbags available as standard in all its models in India. Apart from this, the company will also make other safety features like three point seatbelt and seatbelt reminder available in all variants. 10 out of 13 Hyundai models will be offered with Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and Hill Start Assist Control (HAC) as standard across all models and variants. The company has said that Advanced Driver Aids System (ADAS) will also be provided in five of its models. Hyundai’s new Verna has received a five-star safety rating in the Global NCAP crash test. The company’s Managing Director and CEO, Unsoo Kim, said, “Hyundai’s efforts will continue to increase the safety standards of vehicles in the country. This will make the country’s roads safe for everyone.” The company has also welcomed the Bharat NCAP crash test which recently started in the country. It has announced the initial inclusion of three of its models for this test. India NCAP is an important step towards improving road safety in the country. Under this, safety standards have been increased for motor vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes. The Road, Transport and Highways Ministry has said that this will make it easier for car buyers to assess the crash safety of motor vehicles available in the automobile market. Under Bharat NCAP, car makers will be able to voluntarily get their cars tested. Star ratings will be given based on the car’s performance in crash tests. Before buying a car, customers will be able to compare the safety standards of different vehicles by looking at these star ratings. The demand for safer cars may increase after the implementation of new safety regulations. This will also encourage car makers to follow Bharat NCAP for manufacturing safe cars. The ministry hopes that with higher safety standards, the demand for domestically made cars will increase in the international market. Two airbags are already mandatory for passenger cars. Adding four more airbags will increase the cost of automobile companies. In many countries, the rule of six airbags in passenger vehicles is already in force.
