[ron178]

Global NCAP has awarded the Citroen ë-C3 electric hatchback a zero-star rating for adult occupant protection and one star for child occupant protection in the penultimate round of crash test results for the #SaferCarsForIndia project.

https://youtu.be/EGg0m0zgQsQ?si=ynoxmC1esUnxdNLx

According to the technical report, readings of compression to the front passenger’s chest in the frontal offset test indicated an unacceptably high risk of serious injury, alone enough to cap the overall result at 1 star. Additionally, the difference in scores in front and side impact (where the ë-C3 did reasonably well) resulted in the loss of another star.

The Indian ë-C3 does not have seatbelt pretensioners.

In the ë-C3’s owners’ manual, its right-side rear seat is declared unsuitable to safely install a universal (belted) child restraint, so the ë-C3 was not awarded points for the three year-old child’s dynamics.

Earlier in the year, Stellantis confirmed that its entire Indian range would be fitted with ISOFIX anchorages (among other safety equipment). See thread (Citroën India to make 6 airbags, ISOFIX, rear seatbelt reminders standard from second half of 2024).

Technical report:

[SixPistons]

Dead in the water. With our market moving towards prioritising crash safety as well active safety features, Citroën can bid good bye to Indian market, where we have TATA and M&M having safety as primary selling points, and other brands following suit. I see another European company walk away thirsty and at least a few million in losses from their Indian Odyssey. (FIAT walked away but came back in a Jeep disguise; still consider it an exit for FIAT).

While they have announced certain safety equipment for later this year, they need nothing short of a miracle to turn things around from here.

[Venkatesh]

This result from Stellantis is of serious concern for consumers in emerging economies around the world.

[electric.O]

Is it the final nail, or still some even worse news left?

[rahulcmoulee]

Upon a deeper dive into the results, I think the result isn't as bad as the 0 star rating makes it out to be. In terms of pure score it actually scores above the 1 star rated WagonR and about on par with the 2 star rated Alto K10. Crucially, the body shell is rated as stable unlike most tested cars. From what I can see, the lack of standard seatbelt pre-tensioners seems to be what is dropping the score down.

I am not defending Citroen in any way. 0 star is absolutely unacceptable but it only needs a few minor tweaks to fix the score as far as I can understand.

[Shreyans_Jain]

End of the road for the eC3, and pretty much for the entire C3 based range.

At a time when even the basic Tata Tiago based on the decades old Indica platform gets 4 stars with much better occupant safety scores, such a showing is downright shameful.

Another instance of a global conglomerate choosing to show disrespect to the Indian market and people. Well, the market and people will return the favour in kind. Good luck selling your sub standard products.

[Cresterk]

Well that's just disgusting. Whenever people used to complain about the lack of features, dealerships or any kind of 'premiumness', I always thought citroen was at least providing a well built car without invisible cost cutting like Maruti. Now it turns out it has no strengths at all, only weaknesses. How embarrassing.

[saket77]

Looking at the crash video, the passenger cabin looks too stable to be awarded zero stars. I think the rating given is more than just skin deep.

[raptor_diwan]

They've finally stepped up their game to compete head-on with the top seller - Maruti. Now maruti has someone for company.

[padmrajravi]

That's bad. And this is competing with the Punch EV and Tiago EV. They already have a much better feature set and will anyway get close to 4-5 stars since their ICE versions already have great safety. Wonder why is Citroen even spending money to launch all these products.

[amoi]

When Citroen said they were going to compete with Suzuki , this is not what I had in mind

[newenergy]

My friend was interested in the eC3/C3, so I took a look at it with him. Unfortunately, it fell short of expectations. The body panels felt incredibly cheap – just a light push with my finger revealed how flimsy they were. The materials seemed to be of the lowest quality possible. Discouraged by the obvious build issues, we didn't even bother with a test drive. To be honest, glancing at the equipment list and safety features was almost laughable, considering the overall impression of the car.

[Kosfactor]

Originally Posted by padmrajravi

That's bad. And this is competing with the Punch EV and Tiago EV. They already have a much better feature set and will anyway get close to 4-5 stars since their ICE versions already have great safety. Wonder why is Citroen even spending money to launch all these products.

It must have been added in the 'goals' section of some executive, that fellow would have asked someone then to put 'something together' and roll with it.

Goal was met, of course. The rest is not going into the presentation anyways.

As I had elsewhere mentioned, I wont buy even a pencil sharpener from Stellantis.

[saikishor]

This was well known by many, many could see it coming if you ask me. Citroen is one clueless manufacturer IMO, I don't know how they are even surviving in India. Makes no difference to anyone IMO.

[TheStoryweaver]

Originally Posted by saket77

Looking at the crash video, the passenger cabin looks too stable to be awarded zero stars. I think the rating given is more than just skin deep.

I read one of the comments that summarised the crash. Here are the screenshots of that: