Suzuki Maruti disappoints with three popular models scoring only one star each while Mahindra scores a welcome five-star safety rating as part of Global NCAP’s #SaferCarsforIndia testing campaign, supported by the FIA Foundation and Bloomberg Philanthropies.

The three Maruti Suzuki models, the Swift, S-presso and Ignis, were tested in their basic safety specification with two frontal airbags and ABS. All three models lack Electronic Stability Control (ESC) or side curtain airbags as standard or even as a paid-for option. All three models demonstrated unstable structures during frontal crash testing. The Maruti Suzuki Swift achieved a one-star rating for both adult and child occupant protection. The Maruti Suzuki S-presso and Ignis both scored only one star for adult occupant protection and a zero-star rating for child occupant protection.

The Mahindra Scorpio scored five stars for adult and occupant protection and three stars for child occupant protection.

Alejandro Furas, Secretary General of Global NCAP said: “Global NCAP congratulates Mahindra on its continuing commitment to safety, achieving five stars for adult protection under our new, more demanding crash test protocols. However, it is of great concern that the manufacturer with the largest market share in India, Maruti Suzuki, still offers such poorly performing models, which don’t even make some key safety systems available to consumers in India as optional equipment.”

Saul Billingsley, Executive Director of FIA Foundation said: “The failure of all three tested Maruti Suzuki models to achieve a safe rating showcases a disregard for the safety of Indian drivers, passengers and road users alike. The #SaferCarsforIndia campaign has shown how quickly manufacturers can adapt to meet Global NCAP’s safety standards and it is time for Maruti Suzuki to learn from other regional manufacturers like Mahindra.”

David Ward, President of the Towards Zero Foundation said: "Indian manufacturers such as Mahindra have clearly demonstrated their ongoing commitment to improving vehicle safety performance. This is very welcome and we look forward to this promising momentum being maintained when Bharat NCAP is launched next year. It is again disappointing that Maruti Suzuki have failed to match the safety progress being made by their competitors. At least now Indian Government regulations are forcing the company to apply minimum safety standards. But surely they should care enough about their customers to do much better than that.”

Kelly Henning, Director of Bloomberg Philanthropies Public Health team said,

Global NCAP’s updated protocols assess frontal and side impact protection for all tested models, Electronic Stability Control (ESC), pedestrian protection and side impact pole protection assessments are also required for vehicles scoring the highest star ratings. The #SaferCarsForIndia campaign was launched by Global NCAP in 2014 with the objective of promoting safer vehicles in the country. Between 2014 and 2022 Global NCAP has completed more than fifty safety assessments which have acted as an important catalyst in the safety improvement of Indian cars.