Mass-market carmakers are making 'six airbags' a new norm for cars & SUVs in India

Mumbai: Mass-market carmakers in India are working towards making six airbags the new norm for cars and sports utility vehicles (SUVs). This is due in part to changing market dynamics and consumer choices in the world’s third-largest automobile market.

Once seen only in premium and luxury cars, six airbags are now becoming more accessible to and affordable for the average car buyer in India.

The government last month clarified that six airbags were not mandatory (in India, two airbags are mandatory), leaving it to the customer to make a comparative assessment of safety while buying vehicles.

There has been increasing focus on road safety and growing demand for safer vehicles. Towards this end, effective October 1, the government rolled out Bharat New Car Assessment Programme – the country’s first crash testing standards for locally manufactured vehicles.

Globally, India ranks among the top in road accidents, despite accounting for just 1% of the world’s vehicle population.