Kolkata: Car manufacturers in India are facing a major roadblock in the state of Assam, as the Guwahati High Court in an interim order has banned the launch and sale of small cars in the state that do not meet crash-test norms in response to petitions that sought to make vehicles safer.
The sale and registration of popular models such as Maruti Suzuki’s Alto and Swift, Hyundai Motor company’s i10 and EON and Honda Motor Company’s Jazz have been stopped in Assam post the order that is to affect 140 car models sold in India.
The petitioners said that crash tests such as the Global New Car Assessment Programme (NCAP) that are followed in developed markets should be applied to cars sold in Assam as well because of higher safety standards needed in mountainous regions.
Cars in India are required to pass the frontal crash test norm which is also known as steering impact test to be able to manufacture and sell cars. The stricter front offset crash tests known as ‘The Bharat New Vehicle Safety Assessment Programme’ (BNVSAP) is expected to be rolled out in October 2017, which shall serve as a statutory requirement for manufacturers to adhere to.
Northeast India accounts for nearly 12 per cent of car sales in the country, according to the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), with Assam being the largest contributor and car manufacturers are putting up their cases individually and through its apex body. Major car companies including market leader Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai, Honda and Toyota confirmed they are facing issues in the market after the court order.
“This order is quite surprising since we are meeting all safety norms as per government rules. The same are being sold in other hilly areas of the country,” said a senior marketing officer of India largest car company, unwilling to be named.
The order though does not affect sports utility vehicles, which are bigger and have enough capacity to absorb impact and ensure passenger safety.
