Bharat NCAP launches today. Here's what automakers have to say

Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) on Tuesday launched the much-awaited Bharat New Car Assessment Programme (Bharat NCAP or BNCAP), which is the country's first-ever indigenous car crash safety test and evaluation program. Slated to be enforced across the country from October 1, 2023, the Bharat NCAP makes India the world's fifth country after the US, China, Japan and South Korea to have such a program.

While launching the Bharat NCAP or BNCAP, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari said that this program will not only enhance the safety of the cars in India but will ensure higher export quality for the vehicles that are manufactured in the country. Under this program, automakers can voluntarily submit their car models for testing and evaluation, while the Bharat NCAP too will have the authority to select and pick cars from showrooms randomly for testing and evaluation. The cars will be tested through various methods that are in sync with Global NCAP and Euro NCAP crash testing protocols and will be evaluated with a safety rating ranging between zero and five stars.

Automakers such as Maruti Suzuki, Mahindra & Mahindra, Toyota and Skoda have already welcomed the move of introducing the Bharat NCAP, Hyundai, Renault and other automakers too welcomed the move. Here are the reactions of the automakers regarding the Bharat NCAP.

Maruti Suzuki

Speaking on the launch of the Bharat NCAP, Rahul Bharti, Executive Officer, Corporate Affairs at Maruti Suzuki said that the automaker welcomes this initiative of the government and will offer at least three models for BNCAP testing in the first lot voluntarily. “Any car that is launched in India follows the mandatory safety standards set by the government. For consumers seeking extra safety information, the Bharat NCAP system is an authentic and objective rating system to empower the customer to make an informed choice. Maruti Suzuki welcomes this initiative of the Government and will offer at least three models for BNCAP testing in the first lot itself. At the same time, we would request all users to fasten seatbelts whether in the front or rear seats as that is the most critical factor in keeping passengers safe," he added. Maruti Suzuki CTO CV Ramanto echoed the same while talking about the Bharat NCAP.

Hyundai Motor India

India's second-largest automaker by volume sales, Hyundai on Tuesday welcomed the launch of this program. Unsoo Kim, MD & CEO of Hyundai Motor India Limited, on Tuesday, said that the automaker welcomes the BNCAP. “We welcome the BNCAP safety initiative by Govt. of India and believe this effort will raise safety standards, empower consumers with vital information, and make Indian roads safer for all. At Hyundai Motor India, we remain committed to delivering the highest safety standards across our entire product range," he added.

Tata Motors

Shailesh Chandra, Managing Director of Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles Ltd and Tata Passenger Electric Mobility Ltd. said that safety is in the automaker's DNA and the Bharat NCAP will encourage the company to follow that. “As Tata Motors, we are immensely proud to witness the inauguration of Bharat-NCAP, a significant milestone in enhancing vehicle safety standards in India. Safety has always been at the core of our DNA, and this initiative aligns perfectly with our commitment to delivering vehicles that prioritize the safety of our customers. We applaud the collaborative efforts of the government, regulatory bodies, and the automotive industry in setting higher safety benchmarks. Tata Motors remains dedicated to innovate and engineer vehicles that offer cutting-edge features and ensure the highest levels of safety for all road users," he said.

Kia India

Myung-Sik Sohn, Chief Sales and Business Officer, Kia India, said that BNCAP is an enhanced road safety movement that extends much beyond just safety rating for cars. "We wholeheartedly commend and will comply with the Government of India for its visionary approach to safety, encompassing both active and passive safety components. Aligned with the Atmanirbhar Vision of the Government of India, this move eliminates the need and associated costs of testing vehicles outside. It will also elevate the global reputation of products from India to the world with good ratings in a big way," he added.

Toyota Kirloskar Motor

Vikram Gulati, Country Head & Executive Vice President, Toyota Kirloskar Motor, said that Bharat NCAP comes as a step in the right direction. “We appreciate the Government’s decision to introduce Bharat-NCAP and strongly believe that it is a step in the right direction. The decision comes at a time when consumers are looking at highest standards of safety and seeking for safer vehicles, which is steering purchase decision. In addition to empowering consumers, this will also help bring about greater awareness and further transparency by allowing them to know comparative safety aspects of various products on offer," he said.

Skoda Auto India

Speaking about the launch of the Bharat NCAP, Petr Solc, the brand director at Skoda Auto India, said that this program will encourage Skoda to continue focusing on the safety of its vehicles. “We appreciate that the Indian Government is putting greater emphasis on safety regulations and policies that improves car safety. The introduction of BNCAP is a step in the right direction. Safety is an important aspect and active and passive safety features, along with the structure of the car keeps the driver and their family safe," he added.

Renault India

Renault India too welcomed the move of launching the Bharat NCAP. Venkatram Mamillapalle, Country CEO & Managing Director, Renault India Operations, said that Bharat NCAP comes at a crucial juncture for India as the need to curtail fatalities on the country's roads has never been more pressing. "I applaud the Government of India for this visionary and historic initiative; Bharat New Car Assessment Programme (Bharat NCAP) is a truly landmark event in the automotive industry. This significant stride aligns seamlessly with our core mission of the "Human First Program" initiative, propelling us further on our journey to prioritize the safety and well-being of drivers, passengers and pedestrians," he added.

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