The highly anticipated Bharat New Car Assessment Programme (Bharat NCAP) is set to begin functioning on October 1. This system will allow car manufacturers to undergo safety tests to obtain safety ratings.
The new system will replace the previous reliance on global agencies such as Global NCAP. As the launch of Bharat NCAP draws near, leading carmakers have expressed their support for the new system.
Renowned brands such as Maruti Suzuki, Toyota, Tata Motors, Mahindra, Skoda, and Kia have approved Bharat NCAP. The implementation of Bharat NCAP is expected to elevate safety standards in the Indian automotive sector and enhance the overall safety of vehicles on Indian roads.
Vehicle manufacturers in India and those importing vehicles from other countries must undergo safety testing voluntarily. To initiate the process, manufacturers must apply to the agency.
The agency will then evaluate the vehicles based on the test results and assign ratings following the Automotive Industry Standard (AIS) -197. Most carmakers in India have supported Bharat NCAP and consider it a step to improve safety standards.
Mahindra and Tata Motors, renowned manufacturers with many models that have previously obtained high safety ratings from Global NCAP, have praised the implementation of Bharat NCAP as a bold and commendable move.
Velusamy R, President, Automotive Technology and Product Development at Mahindra & Mahindra, said to PTI, “We at Mahindra believe it is one of the bold steps by the Ministry of road transport, and we welcome the implementation of Bharat NCAP.”
Maruti Suzuki was always at gunpoint when it comes to high safety ratings. Many of its models tested by Global NCAP in the past have received low star ratings. However, the company believes that the Bharat NCAP will help them to certify their cars.
Rahul Bharti, Executive Officer, Maruti Suzuki India, said, “In principle, the customer information and empowering the customer through authentic information is always a positive and welcome step so that Maruti Suzuki will support it.”
Toyota, Kia, and Skoda are the other two car manufacturers who have officially welcomed the move to implement India’s car safety rating system.
Under the Bharat NCAP safety test, cars will undergo a series of crash tests in various scenarios, and their performance will be assessed and rated on a scale of one to five based on the test results.
The Bharat NCAP aims to ensure that cars on the Indian roads meet specific safety requirements and provide consumers with transparent and reliable information regarding the safety features of vehicles.
