India-made and exported base version of Hyundai Grand i10 received zero stars in the crash test conducted by Latin NCAP. The tested vehicle was purchased from Chile and it scored nil in Adult Occupant Protection and two stars in Child Occupant Protection.
The unit tested by Latin NCAP had no airbags, no ISOFIX seat anchorages and no ESC equipment and also presented an unstable performance of the structure according to the report. The model was recently launched in markets like Argentina with more safety equipment than the one tested. However, the performing structure may still reduce passengers' protection, says Latin NCAP.
Comparing the unit to the model tested by Euro NCAP, there are clear differences in the equipment levels as the European basic version offers frontal and side airbags. Moreover, the European version provides child seat ISOFIX anchorages and the anti-skid technology, electronic stability control (ESC) added to a stable structure, resulting in a four star rating by Euro NCAP.
Latin NCAP president María Fernanda Rodríguez said, "it is sad that the Hyundai Grand i10 offered in Latin America is different in terms of safety to the one offered in Europe. Given this result and knowing that Hyundai is a brand with presence in many markets around the world, where it sells the same products, they should offer the same safety level in all the countries. Moreover I hope that this is a wake-up call to governments and that they consider mandating adequate safety levels in all vehicles and for all citizens."
In terms of the safety features offered, the Grand i10 sold in Chile is the identical one sold in India. However, the Grand i10 meets all the safety requirements to sell in India now. A more stringent frontal and side crash tests has been proposed for all new cars from October 2017.
