Nissan Motor has been asked to withdraw its affordable Datsun Go hatchback model from the Indian market by the global automobile safety body, Global NCAP. The reason for the same is the failure of the vehicle in the recent crash tests requiring a redesigning of its body.
In a letter addressed to the Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn, the Global New Car Assessment Programme (Global NCAP) claimed that it is highly disappointing that the auto market has authorized the launch of the new model Datsun Go that is clearly sub-standard. With this engineering the car will definitely fail to clear the United Nations frontal impact regulation.
Max Mosley, Global NCAP Chairman, who took over as the President of the European Car Manufacturers Association has urged that Nissan should withdraw the Datsun Go from sale inIndiaand other markets as well. It is suggested that the car’s body should be redesigned ensuring safety with airbags.
Nissan defended its vehicle claiming that the Datsun Go does meet the required local vehicle regulations inIndia. It is said that the car was developed with an intention to deliver superior adapted solutions to local conditions, good visibility, best-in–class braking, seat comfort, reduced motion sickness and durability all in a single package to minimize the risk of road accidents, stated Nissan Motor India.
Global NCAP’s mission statement makes it clear that the body’s prime focus is to support the development of new crash test programmes especially in the emerging markets. It is these markets that have a strong vehicle growth and independent consumer information on crashworthiness is not available readily when required.
The Datsun Go’s body shell is unstable and it would be futile without the inclusion of airbags in the car’s design. The statement made it clear that such a low build quality is not expected from any global car maker as it fails to meet the world safety standards.
Earlier this year, Nissan launched the Datsun Go with a price tag ranging between Rs 3.12 lakh and Rs 3.70 lakh. With the positive response for the product, the car maker is in the plans for launching its successor, Datsun Go+, a seven seater multi-purpose vehicle in the country in the first half of 2015.
