from:
http://www.outlookindia.com/article/...Dummies/293254 Quote:
Industry sources say the government accepted BN VASP norms because of the intense pressure from carmakers who felt that if international norms were followed, Indian cars would become significantly more expensive. “One has to take a pragmatic approach here,” says Hormazd Sorabjee, editor, Autocar India. “We have had no norms at all and following global norms will make a large number of budget cars unaffordable.” The Indian car industry has seen low to negative growth in the last few years and prices have increased with the removal of excise duty relief. Any further increase in prices will be counter-productive.
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From this, IMO, the price of cars is the main issue and not the "Reason" behind the norms. I do welcome the move to at least improve the current norms or brainstorming on them. But I can't accept that the reason to improve only a little because of increase in car price.
I was not born/much aware when the rule for compulsory seat-belts was enforced. But I do understand that the situation with airbags now can be compared with seat belts that time. The cost of vehicle must have increased by the amount what must be considered good enough that time. But now seat belts are an obvious safety feature and wearing them is considered essential by everyone, even by those who don't follow.
Also, rear seat belts, are provided as basic feature in all models ranging from Nano to any high end model. Why? Doesn't it increase the cost ? We all know they are useless right? No! They are as useful as front seat belts. That's why they are must. But does everyone use them? Oh, first people still need to be aware about front seat belts. Only then can we think of the rear ones.
Why can't airbags be considered the same? They have been proven to be the most important safety device by the world which has been through this path already, the leaders, the one we follow, benchmark. Why the question towards it? Ok, I remember Mr. R. C. Bhargava saying that airbags can be considered an unsafe option on the whole since first time buyers would be pushed toward buying 2-wheelers, which are more unsafe. With due respect Sir, they won't be used to speed around on highways from Ambala to Delhi or from Pune to Mumbai or anywhere else. And nor an average biker would be riding around at speeds ranging from 80-100, which an average car user reaches in the city.
Moreover, if they chose not to buy a car just because it is costly, in few years or maybe decades, the entry level of a car buyer would be increased automatically. For first time buyer now, a car is around 3-4 lakh. He knows he will get a car at this price and when he feels comfortable he would buy it. But in time, the first time buyer would automatically know what the first car can cost. He knows everyone buys the cheapest car at 4-5 lakh. If he waits for a year now to get a car, he could wait for another year to get the car then. What's the difference?
Now, while that's for a later scenario, what about short term? A buyer feels the car price is raised because of these useless airbags. Why would i pay for such things? Maybe the automotive industry should focus on making that buyer aware that those "things" can be God for someone in a deadly accident. He could say he doesn't drive fast. Good! But what if he is driving sedately at 60 or let us say 40 kmph and from the front a car at 100 or 140 jumps up the divider and rams into his car. Is he ready to take such risk with his family? His "just entered in the world" child? These cases are not fictitious examples, but have actually happened.
I don't remember exact case but someone might:
Jyoti's case - accident with rash roadways bus - child and husband died in front of her.
Someone on this forum had his new Dzire totaled and airbags and seat belts saved his fathers life - car jumped across divider into his father's car - other driver died on spot.
Well, there can be many more examples.
This was about Airbags.
Now,
"Structural Strength"
The average speed of a car is slow in India. That's good to hear. But does no one drive at speeds higher than 50 or 60? That's the UN and NCAP crash test speed, which most Indian cars have failed. Everyone is aware about it - the victims and the culprits. Rather, this is famous in the World because of the MNCs involved.
Technology yet to be developed? Nah. All of the Indian manufacturers export cars which score 5 star ratings (100%).
Cost? Perhaps but similar to airbags, it can't be justified.
What then ?
"DEMAND"
Here are we, the people of India. Most of the readers on this forum, guests and members are well aware of NCAP Ratings, irrespective of the notion they follow. What about the person in some village who barely has electricity but goes to buy his first car? Or all those people who are not automobile enthusiasts? I bet, most of them would don't even know that there is a similar test being taken but at lower speeds (30-40, but not sure) which I "think" every car passes, but not "sure" because of this corrupted Indian atmosphere.
What if I told you, the best selling car you just bought, or other similar cars scored ZERO star rating in safety? Would you choose it or shed some bucks towards your safety and buy another car?
I won't, and I believe most of us won't. - I am guilty
But what if, I am sure that my choice is safe, but I can't buy anything not safe? So what if it is costly, I have no choice but to wait till I am capable of buying it.
But what if this "definition" of costly is changed ?
For a person who earns a mere 2 lakhs a year, a entry level car (~3 lakh) is costly. Why does it matter if it is costly even for a person who earns 3-4 lakhs ? A person at 1 lakh waits for 3, years let's say, to buy a car but why can't a person at 2 lakhs wait for 3 years to buy a car ? Does it even matter ?
That's all I would say! Lots of stuff untold, ABS, Helmets, Rear Seatbelts, Lane Driving, Road Rules what not.
Really lightened my mind, released pressure built up being surrounded by all those people who don't care, just need everything cheap, irrespective of the risks involved, to their life or to the life of close ones.