Another milestone for Mahindra XUV300, gets Global Ncap’s ‘Safer Choice' award

The Mahindra XUV300 has achieved Global NCAP’s first ever ‘Safer Choice’ Award, an accolade only available to automakers achieving the highest levels of safety performance for cars sold in India.

Last month the XUV300 achieved a five star Global NCAP rating for adult occupant protection and four stars for child occupant protection. It was the highest combined occupant safety rating of any car tested in Global NCAP’s #SaferCarsForIndia campaign to date.

Mahindra have since submitted the XUV300 for further Global NCAP conformity tests, with the model meeting both pedestrian protection and Electronic Stability Control (ESC) ‘Safer Choice’ Award requirements.

Also watch: How XUV300 passed the toughest car safety test

Global NCAP launched the ‘Safer Choice’ Award challenge at the Delhi Auto Expo in 2018. To qualify for the coveted award a car model must meet all of the following requirements:

1. The model must achieve a 5-star score for Adult Occupant Protection in accordance with the latest version of the Global NCAP New Market Test protocol.
2. The model must achieve at least a 4-star result in Child Occupant Protection in accordance with latest version of the Global NCAP New Market Test protocol.
3. The model must offer Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and meet performance requirements according to United Nations Regulations UN13H, UN140 or GTR9. Where optional, ESC must be available on all the model variants, sold separately without any ‘bundling’ with other features, and as from 2 years onwards must be a standard fit to at least 20% of the sales volume in the country.
4. The model must meet Pedestrian Protection requirements according to United Nations Regulations UN127 or GTR9. which must be validated on market units at a Global NCAP designated testing laboratory.
5. Conformity with all of these requirements must be validated at a Global NCAP designated laboratory and by the provision of type approval certificates where applicable.

David Ward, CEO and President of Global NCAP said, “This is a historic moment for Mahindra and the Indian auto industry, marking a tipping point in vehicle safety performance for the country. After setting our ‘Safer Choice’ Award challenge in 2018 it is deeply satisfying to see an Indian automaker taking a lead on safety in this way."

“From the outset our ambition has been to help establish a market for safety in India, providing consumers with the information they need to make safer choices, catalysing the manufacturers to go beyond minimum legislative requirements. With two Indian automakers, Mahindra and Tata, setting a new safety benchmark we are well on our way to realising that ambition."

Saul Billingsley, Executive Director of the FIA Foundation said, “Mahindra’s award is well deserved. This motor manufacturer has chosen to make safety its priority, and Indian consumers will recognise and respond to Mahindra’s values. This is another important milestone in Global NCAP’s Safer Cars for India campaign and, coinciding with the 3RD Global Ministerial Conference on Road Safety, sets a direction of travel that all car makers should seek to emulate."

The #SaferCarsForIndia campaign was launched by Global NCAP in 2014 with the objective of promoting safer vehicles in the country. Between 2014 and 2020 Global NCAP has completed more than thirty-eight safety assessments which have acted as an important catalyst in the safety improvement of Indian cars.