Rajiv Bajaj hits out at Global NCAP on safety tests

Euro NCAP had said it was disappointed to see quadricycles, including the Bajaj Qute, lack basic safety features.

A little over a month after Euro NCAP awarded one star safety rating to the Bajaj Qute, India's only quadricycle, Bajaj Auto managing director Rajiv Bajaj criticized NCAP's stand on safety.

In a media statement Bajaj said, "I haven't personally seen anything further on quadricycles from NCAP, it is clear to me that their stand on safety is beyond my limited comprehension".

The statement follows an invitation sent by the Institute of Road Traffic Education (IRTE) to Bajaj wherein the Qute was defined 'as the vehicle of the future'.

The invitation was sent on behalf of Global New Car Assessment Programme (Global NCAP) and the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, Government of India (MoRTH) by IRTE. 

“I hear NCAP implying that those who walk, cycle, ride, or use a 3-wheeler must not seek a safer alternative in the quadricycle; they must continue as they are until they can afford a high emission, low mileage, congestion causing car instead", said Bajaj. 

The Brussels-based Euro NCAP said it was disappointed to see quadricycles, including the Bajaj Qute, lack basic safety features that are common in small cars.

“It amuses me to no end that on one hand NCAP has apparent misgivings about quadricycles with respect to safety, yet simultaneously NCAP along with the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways & the Institute of Road Traffic Education (IRTE) invited Bajaj Auto to speak at the Indian Automobile Safety Conference in Delhi, calling the Bajaj Qute 'a global example and a vehicle of the future'. A case of wanting to have your cake & eat it too?" said Bajaj.

Photograph: Courtesy, Indian Autos Blog