Automakers oppose six airbag rule, cite constraints on domestic capacity

Industry is now in discussion with MoRTH to reconsider the rule pointing out that there is no country where such a regulation is mandated

Major automakers have opposed the rule to implement six air bag rule from October.

Business Standard learnt that in a recent meeting of Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), member companies said that they opposed the implementation of six air bag rule from October 1.

Sources said automakers pointed out that the industry’s domestic capacity is not capable of producing six airbags in each vehicle and will require a lot of time to increase capacity.

The lobby group which counts all leading automakers as its members is now in discussion with the Ministry of Road, Transport and Highways to reconsider the rule pointing out that there is no country where such a regulation is mandated.

The MoRTH has issued a draft notification for mandating six airbags for cars falling under M1 category. This category essentially includes cars that can seat up to eight passengers. The order will come into effect for all cars manufactured from October 1, 2022.

The draft notification says that the M1 category cars shall be fitted with two side/side torso airbags, one each for the persons occupying front row, and two curtain airbags.

“Currently the requirement is of two airbags and all of a sudden the requirement is going up by four airbags per vehicle. Where will so much production come from,” said an executive of a company which is a member of SIAM.

Simultaneously, the shortage of semiconductor chips will also hobble production of airbags. Airbags require semiconductors which are used to make sensors which signals an airbag to inflate whenever time comes.

Secondly, the automakers pointed out that the design change required in vehicles to include six airbags will be drastic. All vehicles are not capable of withstanding additional loading to install six airbags. So, a lot of companies will have to make systemic and structural changes to their vehicles to install six airbags. “While the new models can be designed keeping in mind the changes required for six airbags, it will be a time consuming process to redesign the existing models,” a second executive pointed out.

Industry is also worried over a price hike that will be required if the rule becomes compulsory.

Industry sources said that there will be sizable development costs to provide six airbags as standard across the entire range. This, in all likelihood, will involve a more complex production process, thereby bumping the manufacturing cost especially for entry level vehicles which forms the bulk of the sales of the industry.

Increasing cost of ownership of vehicles due to hike in insurance cost, road tax and shift to BS VI norms has already hit growth of passenger vehicle sales.

“There is no global precedent of such a rule. In every country, the test of safety of the vehicle is through a crash test which in India is done by Automotive Research Association of India, which is a body under the heavy industries ministry,” one of the executives quoted above said.