Introduction
The Indian automobile industry has undergone a sea change against the increased consumer awareness regarding vehicle safety. The launch of the Bharat New Car Assessment Program (Bharat NCAP) promises to set a new milestone in proficiently executing better safety standards for Indian vehicles.
Gaining acceptance among consumers, this crash test system has propelled India to finally propose a safety rating based on the testing outcome. However, how is this impact particularly helpful, and how are consumer preferences changing? Here, we discussed all about Bharat NCAP’s significance, how it shall affect car buyers, and when India looks forward to having safer vehicles.
What is Bharat NCAP?
The Bharat New Car Assessment Program is India’s first indigenous crash-testing system founded by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH). Resembling the global NCAP programs, it has been, however, adapted for Indian road conditions, driving behaviour, and vehicle safety aspects.
Key Points of Bharat NCAP:
1)Introduced in 2023 to improve vehicle safety ratings
2)Crash tests performed at a speed of 64 km/h on par with Global NCAP standards
3)Safety ratings ranging from 1 to 5 stars, based on adult occupant and child occupant safety
4)Testing includes front, side-impact, and pedestrian protection.
5)Encouragement for automobile makers to enhance safety specifications in value-for-money cars
Many expect Bharat NCAP to commence influencing car-buying decisions around 2025, with consumers opting for safety ratings above price and mileage.
How Bharat NCAP Changes Car Buyers in India?
Among road accidents and fatalities gaining much focus, Bharat NCAP has a wide role to play in consumer preferences and market trends. Here’ how it impacts car buyers:
1.Shift in consumer preference from value and mileage to safety
Traditionally, Indian car-buyers have been inclined toward price and mileage instead of safety. With Bharat NCAP ratings, caution in car-buying has started to be:
✔ Looked at crash-test scores before purchase
✔ Willing to part with premium bucks for higher-rated cars
✔ Conceive airbags, ABS, and shell strength more worthy than sunroof or an infotainment system
2.Rising Consumer Awareness
In times past, many consumers did not know crash safety levels of vehicles. With Bharat NCAP, there has been:
✔ Increasing online discussion, review, and comparison of safety
✔ Car-buyers actively seeking 4-star and 5-star-rated cars
✔ Parents and families choosing safer cars for children than spacious ones.
3.Influence on Lower Ends of the Market
This segment in India had no regard for safety. But with Bharat NCAP, buyers are now:
✔ Obliging the habit of avoiding the cars on 1 or 2-star safety
✔ Willingly paying a little more for a safer option
✔ Demanding good safety specs like ESC, ISOFIX child seat mounts, and side airbags even in entry-level cars
4.On Resale Value & Premium
✔ Cars with a higher star rating may command a better price when resold
✔ Insurance companies may offer lower premium rates on safer car models
✔ A car with a high rating (like 4-star or 5-star) is, rather, looked upon as more rewarding for the long haul.
5.Change in Brand Preference
✔ Automakers who are setting their focus on safety feel more attraction (like Tata, Mahindra, Volkswagen, and Toyota)
✔ Low-rated brands are being perceived by consumers negatively
✔ Shifting to another brand is condoned by certain buyers if the safety’s been undermined
Bharat NCAP-which cars are the benefactors?
India has truly had a long list of famous models for the first Bharat NCAP testing. Here is the reflection across the various segments:
🚗 Hatchbacks & Compact Cars
Historically, most hatchbacks in India in this price range are not known for their high safety standards. But cars like:
– Tata Tiago-4-star rating
– Maruti Suzuki Baleno-expected-it to get 4-star rating
– Hyundai-i20-4-star rating have now emerged as viable options for safety-conscious buyers looking for affordable yet safe vehicles.
🚙 SUVs & Mid-Sized Sedans
The popularity of SUVs is on an upsurge. As if it was not enough, demand for the more highly rated safety models only adds to the sweet fray. The Bharat NCAP SUVs are among the highest-rated:
– Mahindra XUV700-5-star rating
– Tata Harrier & Safari-expected-it to get a 5-star rating
– Volkswagen Virtus/Skoda Slavia-5-star rating
The vehicles are now in high demand amongst families with safety prioritized, as against purely road presence.
🚘 Premium Cars & EVs
Even luxury brands and EV manufacturers are applying the Bharat NCAP ratings, for instance:
– BYD Atto 3 (EV)-5-star rating
– Tesla Model 3 (once launched befpa) expected-it to get a 5-star rating
– Mercedes-Benz and Volvo models-already adhering to global NCAP standards
With EVs particularly, the threat to prospective buyers centers around the technology used for guaranteeing safety in batteries.
Challenges & Future of Bharat NCAP
While the Bharat NCAP itself is an enormous step forward, they are yet to face some challenges from its launch to its acceptance later onward.
🚨 Challenges:
1)Resistance from Automakers-some brands have felt that stringent safety norms might lead to an increase in the pricing of cars.
2)Consumer Awareness-lack of proper advertising and awareness REGARDING safety.
3)Testing capacity-India has:-more crash test facilities as a number for testing and quicker evaluations.
✅ The Future of Bharat NCAP (2025 Onwards)
1)Mandatory for All New Cars-and wherein requirements might come up as a mandatory for Bharat NCAP ratings.
2)Changes on Safety Regulations-more strict ones, among them 6 airbags, ESC, and ADAS, becoming normed norms even in every segment.
3)Public Awareness-people will be made well aware of safety and would receive ads concerning it, digital campaigns, and promotions at the dealership.
With this development, it is expected that the car market will now transit to a newer safer and responsible driving culture.
Conclusion: Why is Bharat NCAP important for car buyers?
The Bharat NCAP safety ratings were a game-changer for the Indian automobile industry. The consumers will now be able to base their purchasing decisions on crash-test performance, rather than merely price and fuel efficiency.
Key Takeaways:
✔ Safer cars are now the priority for Indian buyers
✔ There is pressure on automakers to move to higher standards of safety
✔ Higher-rated cars will place themselves above the rest in the Indian market by 2025
✔ Buying a 4-star or 5-star rated car gives you better protection with low insurance costs and enhanced resale value
As India strides ahead towards a crash-safe future, buying a Bharat NCAP rated car is indeed the best decision for you and your family.
Stay enlightened, stay safe, and don’t go overboard with the car choice! 🚗🔒