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It was a huge move a few years ago when the Indian government ordered carmakers to improve safety by implementing airbags and anti-lock brakes. The rule was enacted to make Indian automobiles safer. Nitin Gadkari, the Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, has now ordered all private vehicle makers to integrate at least six airbags across all versions and segments within a year.

While this is a significant step forward for automakers, Express Drives sought out to them to hear their thoughts. Others declined to respond, citing a lack of time. This was not the case, however, with automobile component manufacturers, and Continental agreed.


“A proposal by Shri Nitin Gadkari, Hon'ble Minister of Road Transport and Highways, urging passenger car manufacturers in India to provide a minimum of six airbags across all variants and segments would increase the overall safety standards of the vehicle, and it is a step in the right direction,” said Sukhdeep Sandhu, Continental's Head of Passive Safety and Sensorics business unit. This idea demonstrates the government's desire to increase occupant safety in the event of a collision. The amount of people killed in car accidents in India is a serious problem for the industry. As a Vision Zero - Zero Fatalities advocate. There were no injuries. Continental has always believed in 'Safety is for all'.

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“A driver airbag had become compulsory for all passenger vehicles from July 1, 2019. Earlier this year, the government-mandated airbags in all new cars for the passenger seated at the front seat of a vehicle, next to the driver. We hope that many such safety standards are considered as a part of the safety mandate in the future. The increased safety content as a standard feature in vehicles will boost R&D and manufacturing in the country, paving the way for more affordable solutions in the market.”

“We have always taken an ‘In the Market, For the Market’ approach. In 2019, we added a new assembly line to manufacture airbag control units (ACUs) at our Bangalore plant. We have also invested in other safety technologies like Wheel Speed Sensors, anti-lock braking systems (ABS), and electronic stability control (ESC) in India, as the focus towards safety increases in the country. We have already achieved a milestone of 50 million wheel speed sensors at our Manesar plant in 2020.”

Implementing six airbags is a cost problem for automakers, and adding extra safety equipment will make cars heavier, reducing fuel economy. Apart from that, automakers should figure out how to fit six airbags into their vehicles, as numerous components would need to be redesigned.

(Source: Financial Express)