By Exciting news is on the horizon for automobile enthusiasts and safety-conscious consumers in India as the much-anticipated Bharat New Car Assessment Program (Bharat NCAP) is gearing up to commence its crash tests from December 15, 2023. The inaugural vehicles to undergo these critical safety evaluations will be none other than the Tata Harrier and Safari, marking a significant step forward for Indian car manufacturers. In a show of proactive commitment to safety, Tata Motors stands as the frontrunner, being the very first company to apply for a Bharat NCAP rating. The Harrier and Safari will be among the initial batch of vehicles, with a total of three dozen cars slated for evaluation under this new program.
Notably, other prominent automakers such as Maruti Suzuki and Hyundai are also stepping up to the plate by sending three models each for testing, while Mahindra is contributing four cars to the initiative. To ensure comprehensive assessments, the test agencies will select three units of the base variant of each model, making this a thorough and meticulous evaluation of crash safety. While the Bharat NCAP program is set to be a game-changer for vehicle safety in India, it’s worth noting that not all automakers are participating immediately. Brands like Renault, Skoda, and the Stellantis Group have decided to opt out initially, as some of their models have already received Global NCAP ratings.
Bharat NCAP, which was officially launched in October 2023, follows the Automotive Industry Standard AIS 197, focusing on vehicles falling under the M1 category. These are cars capable of carrying up to 8 passengers, excluding the driver, with a gross weight not exceeding 3.5 tonnes. The program encompasses a wide spectrum of vehicles, including imported cars, those running on CNG, and electric vehicles, reaffirming its commitment to promoting safety across various segments of the Indian automotive landscape. With the initiation of these crash tests, Indian consumers can look forward to better-informed choices when it comes to their next vehicle purchase, emphasizing safety as a top priority.
