Global NCAP recently put the Datsun Go through crash tests in Germany
The Datsun Go is so unsafe that it must be withdrawn immediately from India, a global safety watchdog has demanded.
Global NCAP recently put the Datsun Go and the Maruti Suzuki Swift through crash tests in Germany; both cars crumpled during the test for a frontal collision, with the Datsun Go performing far worse.
In a letter to the top executive of Nissan, the manufacturer of the car, Global NCAP says, "As presently engineered, the Datsun Go will certainly fail to pass the United Nation's frontal impact regulation. In these circumstances, I would urge Nissan to withdraw the Datsun Go from sale in India pending an urgent redesign of the car's body-shell."
Datsun received zero of a possible five stars in the tests for Indian cars. The model that was tested is priced at Rs 3.12 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi) in India and none of the car's four variants have
either air bags or an Anti-Lock Braking System. The test concluded that the body shell of the Datsun Go was so weak that even adding airbags would not protect passengers in case of a major accident.
The Chairman of Global NCAP has addressed his letter of warning to Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn. Though the safety watchdog has no jurisdiction over car manufacturers, it is intended to embarrass Nissan and serve as a pressure tactic in an international arena.
Though other Indian cars including the Nano were crash tested in January and failed basic safety standards, NCAP has never before written to a manufacturer with the sort of emphasis reflected in its note to Nissan.
NDTV is awaiting a response from Mr Ghosn's office, but earlier this week, after the crash test findings were reported, Nissan India had said, "Datsun GO meets required local vehicle regulations in India. Automotive regulation standards in fast-growing countries are constantly evolving and as a global manufacturer, we are willing to adopt as well as help evolve standards in vehicular safety standards."