Maruti Alto Now Comes With 6 Airbags

For years, Maruti Suzuki has faced criticism over poor safety standards in their vehicles. Consumers in India were provided vehicles with inferior structural integrity as compared to Suzuki’s vehicles in Europe and Japan. Now, Maruti has started to make amends – providing 6 airbags as standard in both the Alto & Celerio. The Dzire scoring a full five-stars in safety in the Global NCAP was also a feat for Maruti.

Maruti’s Safety Record

Maruti Suzuki has been guilty of prioritising fuel efficiency & affordability over safety with lighter builds and fewer safety features in Indian models, as compared to Japan & Europe. Most vehicles have scored poorly in both independant safety tests & on-road safety. Some Maruti models like the Brezza & Grand Vitara came with a solid four-star safety rating, but others were left with unstable body structures & abysmal safety records. However, Maruti lately has been addressing this, with their new Dzire shocking the industry with its five-star safety rating, a first for Maruti, & the addition of six airbags as standard to many models such as the Celerio, Alto & Brezza.

Six Airbags In The Alto – A Step In The Right Direction?

The addition of six airbags to the Alto is a welcome move. Airbags can significantly reduce the risk of serious injury in a crash. However, airbags are just one part of the safety equation. The overall build quality and structural integrity (commonly referred to as “passive safety”) of the car are also crucial – which is the aspect where Maruti cuts corners.

Concerns remain about the build quality of Maruti Suzuki cars. Lighter materials can lead to less effective crash protection. Recent crash tests have highlighted the differences in safety performance between Indian and international models. Maruti needs to demonstrate a real commitment to improving build quality across its range, not just selectively in certain models & cherry-pick their safety results.

What Do You Need To Know?

Maruti Suzuki’s decision to include six airbags in the Alto is a positive step. But the company still has work to do to convince consumers that safety is a top priority. A focus on robust build quality and a willingness to undergo independent safety testing are essential. Only then can Maruti truly address its history of negligence. Nevertheless, for families upgrading from two wheelers, entry-level cars such as the Alto provide shelter and safety while travelling & are a much better option. Questions still remain on the overall structural integrity of Maruti Suzuki cars. As always, do your own research – just because a car is popular doesn’t mean it’s safe.