Datsun Go scores 2-Stars in ASEAN NCAP

In the recently concluded ASEAN NCAP crash tests, the Datsun Go has scored a two-star rating. The driver-side airbag equipped model scored 6.82 points on the Adult Occupant Protection (AOP) test and got a 46% compliance rating on the Child Occupant Protection (COP) test.

Just last year, Datsun’s entry level hatchback, the GO had been in the news for all the wrong reasons.

Results from the auto-safety tests conducted by Global NCAP on the Indian-spec Datsun Go had been so alarming, that they had urged Datsun to withdraw the model from the Indian market. According to them, the car had failed to meet the minimum safety standards required to clear the frontal impact regulations as laid down by the United Nations. Nothing short of a body-shell redesign would improve the car’s chances, is what was said at that time.

Subsequently, Datsun India came out in strong support of their car, choosing to allay fears by pointing out that the Go hatchback met local vehicle safety standards in India.

Further, they would continue to enhanced safety requirements as they evolved. However, the fact that no other manufacturer had  ever received such a letter from Global NCAP, despite there being other Indian cars failing to clear tests too, seem to have triggered off the conscience of the manufacturer.

An airbag on the driver’s side was soon introduced for the top model in the Go line-up earlier this year and Datsun even went on to add some strengthening to the body-shell of their entry hatchback. These changes are likely to have had some bearing on the ‘naught-to-two-star’ improvement on the rating scale. With India too getting serious about passenger safety and new-norms coming into effect in the next two years, it is going to be interesting to watch the industry tighten up their product offerings.