The comments from the organisation, the umbrella body of consumer car safety testing bodies, come as the latest independent crash tests of Nissan's Datsun Go and Maruti-Suzuki Swift reveal life-threatening injury risks, with both cars receiving zero-star safety rating for their adult occupant protection. Global NCAP said the risks would be significantly reduced if the cars had to comply with the UN test regulation for frontal and side impact.  

Global NCAP secretary general David Ward said: ‘We welcome the initiative of the Indian government to launch its own NCAP and recommend that this positive step is combined with the application of the UN regulations for frontal and side impact. Prompt action like this would prevent the introduction of brand new models like the Datsun Go, which has body structure so weak that it is pointless to fit an airbag.’

Mr Ward added that ‘It is disappointing to see a global company like Nissan launch a new car design in 2014 that so clearly falls below UN safety standards. This runs counter to the objectives of the UN Decade of Action.’

Rohit Baluja, president of the Institute of Road Traffic Education (IRTE), said: ‘Consumers are not yet aware of the safety aspects of the vehicle they purchase. The consumer believes that the automobiles they are purchasing meet the best safety standards. While deciding to purchase the vehicle the consumer does not yet consider safety as a deciding parameter. This awareness needs to be created. It must be the responsibility of both the vehicle manufacturer and seller to provide this information to the consumer and make this aspect the basis of marketing. Referring to The Prime Minister's campaign ‘Make in India’, the call is ‘not just make in India, but make the highest quality of products in India which match the best of global standards.’

Mr Baluja complimented the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways for their initiative with the Automobile Industry to start the process of the Indian NCAP as well as towards framing a regulatory structure.

He however added that while USA initiated the process of having an NCAP as early as 1979, and most automobile manufacturing countries have followed suit, India is far behind schedule and must complete both the regulatory and NCAP consumer information process not later than 2016.