The Indian-built Suzuki Swift and Latin and Romanian-built Renault Duster have delivered a poor set of outcomes after rigorous testing at the hands of the Latin NCAP. The safety testing firm states that the results were very disappointing and calls for urgent improvements.
The Renault Duster tested here comes standard with double airbags and electronic stability control . Despite this, it achieved zero stars under Latin NCAP’s latest protocol with a 29,47 per cent in the adult occupant box, 22,93 per cent in child occupant box, 50,79 per cent in pedestrian protection and vulnerable road users box and 34,88 per cent in safety assist box.
The Suzuki Swift, which is built in India and Japan with two airbags as standard, achieved zero stars as well. The compact car achieved 15,53 per cent in the adult occupant box, 0 per cent in child occupant box, 66,07 per cent in pedestrian protection and vulnerable road users box and 6,98 per cent in safety assist box. The result is valid for the hatchback and sedan versions.
The zero star result is due to the poor side impact protection and an open door during the test. A low whiplash score is due to the lack of UN32 for rear impact test. Furthermore, the result is accredited to the lack of standard side head protection airbags and ESC. Latin NCAP states that this model would not pass the Regulation UN95 requirements due to the door opening on impact.
The Suzuki Swift is sold in Europe with six airbags and ESC as standard while the model in Latin America is not offered with side, body and head airbags and ESC as standard. The Latin American version of the Swift still offers standard a lap belt in the rear centre seating position despite the well-known high injuries risks of its use.
Alejandro Furas, Secretary General of Latin NCAP said: “It is disappointing and upsetting such poor safety performances offered by Renault and Suzuki to Latin American consumers. Latin NCAP calls and encourages Renault and Suzuki to dramatically improve these models standard safety very soon.
“Latin American consumers are forced to pay more than the basic price to get to the same safety specs that Renault/Dacia and Suzuki offer as standard in markets like Europe and in some cases they are not even available in Latin America and the Caribbean.
“Basic vehicle safety, which is standard in mature economies markets, is a right that Latin American consumers should claim without having to pay extra for them. These safety features act like vaccines for one of the most severe pandemics like road traffic injuries and fatalities. Consumers have the right to receive the same vaccine supplied anywhere else without having to pay more for it”.
