[sagsaw]

Originally Posted by viXit

For a person who is busy and doesn't have the time/inclination to sit and follow up with fixes for niggles, the creta is the way to go. Peace of mind is above all for some people.

Creta too has its share of niggles and issues.

Google search or a search on team bhp does reveal that.

No car is free from niggles.

To each his own is what I do agree with though. Individual choice for whatever reason and it should be left at that.

[man_and_machine]

Really good news for those who care. Now many car buys look at this is a big thing? At the dealerships many times the SAs themselves are a little surprised when you tell them you have gone over their site in good detail and you looked up these details.
Some education (maybe not some, maybe a lot) is need to translate this to what it means to the users. It would just do everyone so good if people look beyond milage, resale, interior quality, DRLs, 8"v/s 10" screens capacity as the primary reasons for buying a car and merely look at these ratings as an added extra in the car.
The narrative needs to move from 'also a safer car' to 'begins with safety'.
You don't have to be on the highway always to justify to settle for a 2 or 3 safety rating in the car, even worse for budget restrictions. An accident even at 40 kmph side-on with a truck can be fatal. It might not kill, but worse maim for life.
VW (and German cars) in general have to spend more money to tweak their global platforms to manufacture a watered down version of an already designed, tested and approved model. Of course they could have skimmed off the active safely features. Appreciate them for not doing so.
Always loved owning a VW, how I wish they made India their priority and had the same interest and rigour the Japanese have in this market. Money can be made here, if you have the tenacity and the willingness to make it here.

[Hayek]

As a VAG fan (revealed preference - 3 of my last 4 cars are from that stable), I am delighted with this result. Had been really worried with all the insinuations (now clearly proven to be evidence free) that the India 2.0 cars have compromised on safety standards. That has now been thoroughly debunked. VW cars are more complex than Marutis and Toyotas and so have more things that can go wrong - but that also contributes to the infinitely superior driving experience. But they have adhered to their core DNA on safety, and are still far superior to the non Korean competition on fit and finish. While making cars to fit a price, I would much rather the VAG strategy of deliver on safety, and give up a few electronic gizmos, than the Hyundai-Kia one of maximise bling, it does not matter that your design compromises will definitely kill some customers. And before people claim this is too extreme, the fact is this. Hyundai and Kia (and for that matter Toyota and Suzuki) know what they are doing when they make cars less safe for sale in India. The lack of safety won’t kill most customers - but statistically is guaranteed to kill someone when you sell a few hundred thousand cars a year. It’s a conscious design choice to let customers die that these companies are making.

[shancz]

Originally Posted by man_and_machine

1. It would just do everyone so good if people look beyond milage, resale, interior quality, DRLs, 8"v/s 10" screens capacity as the primary reasons for buying a car and merely look at these ratings as an added extra in the car.

2. Money can be made here, if you have the tenacity and the willingness to make it here.

1. I accompanied a friend who isn't very well versed with cars but us at least aware of "ncap" ratings, on his car hunt last week and after checking out the Taigun he remarked "this feels solid, how many ncap?". I informed that it wasn't tested yet but I think it won't disappoint (I was looking more at a 4 star rating to be honest).
We went on to check the HyRyder post that and although it looked and felt way premium he again remarked, "this doesn't feel as solid as the Taigun" which I affirmed.

Point is that even non technically inclined buyers can sense the quality whether it's the strong underpinnings, bodywork or even plastics (just check the glovebox plastics of the Taigun and HyRyder/Grand Vitara).
Where every manufacturer chooses to put their money in is evident in their vehicles but how to make it apparent to the buyers is the challenge IMHO.
GNCAP ratings are step in that direction but a lot more needs to be done as it didn't take long for the "solid" feel to be washed over by the panoramic sunroof and the "premium" interiors of the HyRyder coming around the same price.
But the silver lining in this was that the Creta with all its bling was at the bottom owing to the "light" build and the GNCAP score.
Even overseas VW cars have a distinct "solid" feel compared to say a Honda, Toyota, Mazda etc. and they're bought for that reason. Difference is that all other cars have a minimum safety envelope too which starts with a 5 star rating for their respective NCAP. We will end up in that situation too as the awareness and regulations improve but when is the question.


2. And more money would've been made had the EPC issue not occurred. As another silver lining it tested out the VW/Skoda logistics and complaint redressal processes sooner than they expected

Not taking anything away from the fact that VW/Skoda have shown what not to compromise when making India/developing market specific products.

[Bhodrolok]

What VW need to do is to go for a marketing blitzkrieg now focusing on these results just in time before Diwali. Call out Suzukis & Hyundais for their lack of focus on safety.

Heck launch a stark, grim ad showing a Hyundai or Suzuki without displaying their badges of course and then show the after effects of a crash... and finally fade to color with the VW cars and keep the global NCAP ratings front and center.

Go for the jugular, hit the competition where it lags seriously and cannot even make ground easily.

[VikramCS]

Wow!! Great news!! I always admired VAG cars for their superior performance and driving pleasure. While it was obvious that VAG cars were safe, after reading many posts about VW 2.0 India-specific products (and their new MQB-IN.. platform) not being as solidly-built as their predecessors, there was always an iota of doubt about their safety.
Thanks to GNCAP for the results.

Dear VAG group - Many Congratulations! Stupendous performance indeed. More importantly, as an ordinary citizen, thank you for building safe cars for Indians rather than treating us as third-world people by ignoring safety aspects. My respect for your products has increased.

I think it's safe to assume that the sedan sisters - Slavia and Virtus would also achieve 5-star since they are built on the same platform.

They key questions are:
a. How will this achievement drive sales for VAG group and improve market share?
b. How well can VAG India leverage this position to drive sales?
c. Will Indian buyers be still swayed-away with bling, useless features against solid, safe and performance vehicles?

Personally, no ownership experience with VAG cars, but, a former colleague (Polo owner) used to crib about service costs and non-supportive dealers. I have read about infamous DQ200 GB issues in this great forum. IMHO, once VAG is able to work past such issues, they can definitely get the numbers. What do other owners think..?

[Arctsian08]

Hi Everyone. This is my first post on the forum so apologies for any mistake.

I recently test-drove Kushaq 1.0 TSI AT and the sales advisor was mentioning that the 10.1 inch infotainment screen along with Subwoofer is back in Kushaq as well as Slavia. It has been brought back by Skoda quietly in the top Style trip.

Regards
Acrtsian08

[Anupkumar]

This is such a good news! Makes the decision easier now. Few days back, SA was saying theer could be prcie increase in next one week or so. Probably, it was in anticipation of this, or maybe he was just trying to make me decide faster!
Bit of OT - has the infamous EPC issue been solved now? Was it there in both 1.0 L and 1.5 DSG?

[d-g-p]

Originally Posted by Arctsian08

I recently test-drove Kushaq 1.0 TSI AT and the sales advisor was mentioning that the 10.1 inch infotainment screen along with Subwoofer is back in Kushaq as well as Slavia. It has been brought back by Skoda quietly in the top Style trip.

I was also informed about the 10.1 inch Infotainment in Kushaq coming back by one SA , but as a some kind of special anniversary edition like VW Taigun along with some increase in price. Not sure by how much but could be about 20-25 k INR. Details are actually awaited.

[Gurudatt28227]

Originally Posted by Sunderdeep

Ashish Gupta, Brand Director, VW India was quite confident of the good ratings during my Chakan, Plant visit last week where I was invited by VW's top management.

Great job with that interview mate. I watched it on youtube a couple of days ago and you asked all the right questions to Ashish. As a fellow VW owner, it is great to see the VAG group cars score a perfect 5 on safety.

[Arctsian08]

Originally Posted by Anupkumar

This is such a good news! Makes the decision easier now. Few days back, SA was saying theer could be prcie increase in next one week or so. Probably, it was in anticipation of this, or maybe he was just trying to make me decide faster!
Bit of OT - has the infamous EPC issue been solved now? Was it there in both 1.0 L and 1.5 DSG?

There is definitely some price increase anticipated. Even my SA told me that you can expect price increase from November. However as of now SA told me that they have cars in stock at plant with 10.1 Inch screen, subwoofer and virtual cockpit.

The EPS issue to my knowledge was found only in the 1.0L and not the 1.5L. That also was heard of in the initial batches. I haven't heard of any more breakdowns since sometime. I guess the replacement to robust fuel pump worked for Skoda.

[Anupkumar]

Originally Posted by ron178

There is no longer a rating for each variant but if the Kushaq had 2 airbags on all variants it would have scored three stars.

Creta scored 3 stars with 2 airbags. While Kushaq's body shell was rated stable, Creta's body shell was rated unstable. So, probably even with 2 airbags, Kushaq would have scored 4 stars, I guess.

[Venkatesh]

Volkswagen Taigun India's Safest SUVW - TVC

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1jgIuWsj-f4

[ron178]

Originally Posted by Anupkumar

Creta scored 3 stars with 2 airbags. While Kushaq's body shell was rated stable, Creta's body shell was rated unstable. So, probably even with 2 airbags, Kushaq would have scored 4 stars, I guess.

The Creta was assessed against the old protocols. In the new July 2022 protocols a curtain airbag must be optional on at least 1 variant for 4 stars and sold on ≥30% units produced for 5 stars. So if the Kushaq had 2 airbags on all variants it would have scored three stars.

If the Kushaq was assessed against the protocols that the Creta was assessed against, then even if side airbags were not even optional it would have scored 5 stars for adult protection with a little more than 15.1/17, probably 4 stars for child occupant protection (finding the score is a little more complex) and a Safer Choice Award for GTR8 (ESC) and ECE127 (pedestrian protection) compliance.

[Anupkumar]

Need advice: Just did a PDI of Kushaq 1.5 DSG. The manufacturing date is May 2022. Is it OK to take this? Or should I cancel and wait for new stock?