Nissan is coming under increasing criticism following independent crash testing of its new low-cost Datsun Go model which was awarded no stars by Global NCAP.
Global NCAP is a spin-off from the more familiar Euro NCAP, which has been independently crash-testing cars for almost two decades now, and which has been lauded as one of the driving forces behind increased traffic safety on European roads. Global NCAP focuses on emerging markets, where safety standards are often at something of a premium.
The Datsun Go has been designed and engineered specifically for sale in markets such as Russia and India, where road safety is at a catastrophically poor level compared to the West.
While the Go is sold without standard-fit airbags, Global NCAP’s test of the car was so damning that the organisation officially commented that “the Go’s body shell is so unstable that it would be pointless to include airbags in the car.”
According to the results, the crash test dummies in the car would have sustained grave injuries and in all likelihood been killed. The vehicle’s structure was described as unstable and the photos of the test show it deforming hugely under the stress of the test.
Max Mosley, former head of global motorsports body the FIA and now Global NCAP chairman, said "it is extremely disappointing that Nissan has authorised the launch of a brand new model that is so clearly sub-standard.
“As presently engineered, the Datsun Go will fail to pass the United Nations 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. Applying the UN’s minimum crash test standards to all passenger car production worldwide is a key recommendation of the Global Plan for the UN Decade of Action for Road Safety.
“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.”
The Go is not the first car to come under the baleful eyes of Global NCAP. In January 2014, Global NCAP published crash test results for five of India's best-known cars: the Suzuki Maruti Alto 800, the Hyundai i10, the Ford Figo, the Volkswagen Polo, and the Tata Nano.
All the cars received zero-star adult protection ratings. Volkswagen has since decided to offer the Polo for sale in India with two airbags as standard. This model subsequently received a four-star safety rating.
