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Tata Motors Flags Safety Risks in Car Weight Rules
14 Jan
Summary
- Tata Motors warns weight-based car rules could promote unsafe vehicles.
- Compact SUV Punch achieved a five-star safety rating recently.
- Maruti Suzuki backs weight-based definition, while others oppose it.
Tata Motors has cautioned that altering the definition of small cars based on weight could lead to unsafe vehicles on Indian roads. This warning coincides with the Tata Punch compact SUV achieving a five-star crash test rating under the Bharat NCAP, underscoring the company's belief that higher vehicle weight correlates with better safety performance.
The proposed CAFÉ III norms, set to begin in April 2027, include regulatory relaxations for petrol cars under 909 kg. However, manufacturers opposing these norms, including Tata Motors, Mahindra, and Hyundai, fear that automakers might reduce car weights to avoid penalties, potentially sacrificing structural integrity and safety features.
Industry stakeholders are divided, with Maruti Suzuki, Honda, and Renault supporting the weight-based definition, while others strongly oppose it. The Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers has noted a lack of consensus among its members. The government is expected to make a final decision on these norms shortly, which will significantly influence future vehicle safety standards and product strategies in India's growing automotive market.
