New Delhi: The recent revelations of the second round of crash tests for Indian made cars; Global NCAP created quite a storm in India. The Global New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) has asked Nissan to withdraw the Datsun GO from the Indian market.
Max Mosely, the Chairman of Global NCAP has made the request in a personal letter written to Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn saying, “As presently engineered, the Datsun Go has certainly failed 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.”
“It is extremely disappointing that Nissan has authorised the launch of a brand new model that is so clearly sub-standard.†Mosely added.
“Given Carlos Ghosn’s responsibilities as chairman and CEO of Nissan and President of the European Car Manufacturers Association, he should now demonstrate leadership both in Nissan and on behalf of the vehicle industry generally that corresponds to the UN’s legitimate expectation that automobile safety should be improved during the Decade of Action,†he added.
However, a spokesperson from Nissan has said, “Datsun GO meets minimum required local vehicle regulations in India and was developed with a strong intention to deliver the best adapted solutions to the local conditions, from best in class braking and good visibility to durability, seat comfort and reduced motion sickness – all being taken as a package aim to decrease potential risk of road accidents.â€
“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,” the spokesperson added.
The Go was launched in India earlier this year, as Datsun’s first global product when Nissan revived the brand. Datsun is currently positioned as an entry-level and frugal brand with cars made specifically for certain markets only – India, Indonesia, Russia and South Africa. Exports of the made-in-India Go to South Africa, are meant to begin this December.