Six Airbags Mandatory in Passenger Vehicles, says Maruti

Maruti Suzuki India (MSI) asked the government to review the proposal that requires passenger cars to have six airbags, saying the standard will have an adverse impact on the already shrinking small car market and could impact jobs in the automotive sector in the future. 

The company said regulations will have a serious impact on the cost-sensitive entry-level automotive segment, facing headwinds and lower sales over the past three years, making it even more difficult for motorcycle users to switch to smaller vehicles.

Earlier this year, the road transport ministry announced that it would require automakers to provide at least six airbags to vehicles capable of carrying up to eight passengers from October this year to improve occupant safety.

Acknowledging that airbags can help save lives in road accidents, MSI Chairman RC Bhargava said the increased costs of regulation would discourage many motorcycle drivers from switching to entry-level vehicles. He said the market for expensive cars is rising in urban areas across the country, while small car adoption is shrinking in small towns and rural areas, hitting affordable factors.