Crash Test Collage

Opinion : Can stricter car safety norms turn counter-productive in the Indian context?

Crash Test Collage 2016

India is aspirational and perhaps it is only because of this quality that we have been making progress against all odds. We try and fight against draconian laws, red tape, corruption and everything else that stands in the way of simple development. Our country is in the process of being called developed, as a result, our desires are still stuck at looking at needs as wants. And we can’t be blamed, because something like the motorcar, which should ideally be a basic tool to get by everyday, for a majority of us, is still a luxury and an answered prayer. In a lot of cases, as ridiculous as it might be, it still is a reason to get married.

Read : Indian cars score a Zero again in carsh tests

Read: Bharat New Vehicle Safety Assessment Programme to commence from 2017

So on one hand, we have manufacturers, who’ve been innovative and have brought the price point down to a bare minimum for the masses to be able to afford a car, on the flip side they have had to use metal as thin as an edible film, skimp on life saving features and lure the bride’s father with new lows. Why does that man not care for his daughter or his son-in-law to be? You’d say ignorance and we’d agree. But then where he himself, his family and the future groom have been travelling atop dangerously packed buses, hanging for dear life next to the driver of an open Jeep, or inadvertently perform in the circus of the Great Indian commuting scene, just being able to sit on a chair of their own inside the confines of their own car is being rich enough. There is demand for bare minimum, the supply has to come from somewhere and it will. Who do you blame?

Read: Rajiv Bajaj replies to the critics of the RE60 / Qute

Education hasn’t helped matters either. I know this man who used to work with a very large petrochemical outfit and is now at the helm of affairs in my neighboring office. He recently bought a particular car’s base model which was devoid of any airbags or the works. When asked why did he not pick the variant which at least offered airbags and ABS? His response, “Since I have a driver, I sit in the backseat whereas the airbags are at the front. What’s the point if they won’t save me anyways? It has an AC, is compact and does its job. What more would I want for an everyday commute? Moreover, my driver has served me for the last 20 years without a single crash. I trust my life with him and God. When it’s my time, I’ll have to go anyways. Not even 10 airbags will save me that day.” He then smiled, walked away and I did not know what to say to a man who thinks like that.

The government must make it mandatory for all car manufacturers to infuse all their products with world class safety features. That’ll be great, but then there will be some other repercussions. It will mean that prices will shoot north and for that bride’s humble father who is most certainly under a burden of other debts, he’ll have to part ways with a bigger chunk of his land to fulfill the wishes of his sick son-in-law. That family of four who has been braving rain, sun and the cold on a motorcycle, their balancing act will have to continue. Their skins will have to wait a little longer until the harsh sun stops burning it. The earning members will have to skip on one necessity to be able to afford that higher EMI. What is an affordable dream now, will become an expensive purchase. But for that milestone shifting its position into a higher orbit, at least the possibility of a nightmarish incident wiping off that happy grin of having realized a dream will be lesser. But then if that family has to extend their daredevil act of commuting together on a motorcycle, their goalpost moves further, that relatively safer haven on four wheels becomes distant, does it still make sense?

The opinions expressed within this article are those of the author. The article does not reflect the views of Motoroids and Motoroids does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.

3 thoughts on “Opinion : Can stricter car safety norms turn counter-productive in the Indian context?”

  1. It seems author got emotional because someone close is worried about demand of car and similar time someone alsed told safety featured variants costs more. We need to understand economics better (Govt does). Here are my pics though I am far from expert.

    1) Starting 2018 when every car would come equipped with ABS and dual airbags as mandatory fitment, it would also ensure suppliers getting lot of orders. Due to mass production, the cost of each such unit would come down drastically. So if now a variant with dual airbag increases cost of variant by 12,000 it would be 6,000 post mandate. Add ABS and it would touch 12-14K (inflation is considered integral part).

    2) Car companies have healthy margin on each model sold. Imagin many hatchback cars are sold with 50K discount and still company makes profit out of it. So given market need, they can always absorb the cost of Airbags and ABS.

    3) Even if the cost is bourne by consumer, the brides’s father can absorb the cost increase. Convert the increase into EMI as most of the bridal fathers into such a bad situation would not have enough cash for car. This EMI increase would be lesser than cost of one movie ticket per month.

    4) Indian individual earning growth rate is one of the highest in the world. It stands at 8-10% each year. Compare it with the car price hike of about 2-3% each year. So if one can afdord ‘unsafe’ car today. The person will easily afford same car with ‘safety pack’ 2-3 years later.

    5) Even still with bad luck and unfortunate circumstances, he cannot afford safe car, he would not be’unsafe’ on road. Governement is also going to make two wheelers with CBS and ABS as mandatory fitment from similar period on bikes.

    6) Your neighbour is absolutely right, that even with 2 airbags (supplimentary restrain system) it may not save him simply because he will not wear seatbelt (primary restrain system) when not driving. Government cannot save you if you take oath not to be safe.

    7) I found no analogy of the word ‘counter-productive’ in article title with contents. I think the whole article is on safety and not on productivity.

    Mods: Please feel free to edit/remove my comments if not suitable. I have firm view that this article is baised and illogical.

  2. I hope the site is still under moderator.
    Being a site related to automobile sector and for auto enthusiasts who are regular follower of this site.i want to ask a question Does this site allows Fb comments without moderation?
    If not then why are the comments which are not related to auto sector allowed ?
    Is there any relation of automobile sector with caste and reservation system ??
    This page is dedicated to only auto enthusiasts and people interested in automobiles and this is what connects us on this page.
    Why mess all these by bringing caste n reservation thing which has no relation to the sector ?

  3. Of course it is, eventually Indian customers will feel the crunch. Manufacturers will only face difficulties while investing into safety features.
    Best is to keep the offers at varied ranges. Let the customers be the judge and choose according to their needs and capabilities.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Scroll to Top