Driving into Safety: Tata, Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai, and More Lead the Way in India's Bharat NCAP

India has embarked on a journey to enhance automotive safety with the launch of the Bharat New Car Assessment Programme (Bharat NCAP). This unique initiative, inspired by the Global NCAP but tailored to Indian safety standards, kicked off on October 1st. The program aims to evaluate and rate vehicles on three critical fronts: adult occupant protection (AOP), child occupant protection (COP), and safety assist technologies (SAT). While these safety ratings are not mandatory, they are poised to influence consumer choices and encourage car manufacturers to prioritize safety.

Leading the charge, Tata Motors has applied for the Bharat NCAP rating, with their Harrier and Safari facelifts set to undergo the inaugural crash tests. Maruti Suzuki and Hyundai are also stepping up, with three models each in the testing lineup, while Mahindra is contributing four.

The Bharat NCAP program will be carried out by designated agencies under the Indian government's supervision, assigning star ratings on a scale from zero to five based on crash test performance. European automakers like Renault, Skoda, Volkswagen, and the Stellantis Group have not rushed to get their vehicles rated under Bharat NCAP. Some are still deciding which models to submit, while others argue that their cars already possess safety ratings from Global NCAP, making Bharat NCAP ratings currently unnecessary.

Government testing agencies, including the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI), the International Centre for Automotive Technology (ICAT), and Global Automotive Research (GAR), are responsible for conducting comprehensive and accurate crash tests, ensuring the program's success.

As we anticipate the results of this pioneering program, the future looks brighter for safer cars on Indian roads.