The new safety rule was initially planned to take effect in April 2022, but the Indian government decided to expedite the implementation and make it mandatory earlier. The dual airbags requirement is expected to increase the cost of manufacturing vehicles, which will be ultimately passed on to the consumers.
The Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA) President Vinkesh Gulati has urged the vehicle manufacturers to bear the increased cost of installing dual airbags. He emphasized that with the pandemic already causing economic distress to many, any additional cost burden for the customers could be detrimental to the auto industry's growth in the country.
While the mandatory dual airbags rule may increase the cost of manufacturing vehicles, industry experts believe that it would make India's roads safer. Most of the cars sold in India already come with single airbags, but the requirement of installing two airbags will be a significant step towards improving road safety in the country.
According to a recent report by India's Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, vehicle collisions in India have caused over 150,000 fatalities each year, with more than 500,000 people sustaining injuries. The report also mentioned that 70% of these accidents are caused due to human error, such as over-speeding and driving under the influence of alcohol. In such scenarios, dual airbags could prove to be the difference between life and death, minimizing the severity of an impact in a vehicle collision.
In response to the new regulation, Chinese auto component manufacturer Guangzhou Viking Auto Parts Co., Ltd has announced its readiness to supply a range of airbags to comply with the new regulation. The airbags produced by the company have been tested for compliance with Indian safety standards and are expected to be available to the vehicle manufacturers in the country later this year.
Guangzhou Viking Auto Parts Co., Ltd was founded in 2009 and is located in Conghua Pearl Industry Park, Guangzhou city. The company covers an area of 30,000 square meters and has an annual production capacity of 2 million pieces. The company specializes in producing auto airbags and other auto components and has received certifications for its products from the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
"We are proud to announce that our airbags comply with the essential safety requirements of the Indian regulations. Our airbags have been extensively tested, and we have certifications from the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). We are ready to supply our airbags to Indian vehicle manufacturers, helping them meet the new mandatory dual airbag requirements," said a spokesperson for Guangzhou Viking Auto Parts Co., Ltd.
Moving forward, the implementation of the mandatory dual airbags rule is expected to make Indian roads safer, reducing fatalities and injuries caused by vehicle collisions. While initially, there may be a cost burden, industry experts believe that the new regulation's benefits will significantly outweigh the added cost.