Low European safety rating for Bajaj Qute

Structure of the Qute was judged to be unstable in the frontal test

Euro NCAP, a Belgium-based automobile crash test agency, has given a single-star safety rating to the Bajaj Qute, a four-seater quadricycle exported by Pune-based Bajaj Auto to Europe.  

The Qute scored poorly in the tests due to absence of driver or passenger airbags. Further, the structure was judged unstable in the frontal test, as even a side impact detached the door from the A-pillar.

Many spot welds had got released and deformation of the structure indicated it could not have withstood a higher degree of loading, stated the test result.

Euro NCAP secretary-general Michiel van Ratingen said: “It is disappointing to see that quadricycles are still lacking basic safety features that are common in small cars. By not challenging the manufacturers to do more, legislators continue to give a false impression to consumers that these vehicles are fit.”

Said a Bajaj spokesperson: “In our maiden effort, we have created in the Qute a quadricycle that is in the same league as European benchmarks. Also one that fares better than many international cars, in their category. We believe that’s why Qute has had a good reception in about 20 markets.”

Last year, when Bajaj announced its intention of launching the Qute in various countries, including in Europe, it had said the vehicle would meet the stringent European quadricycle norms and that it had also acquired a European WVTA (Whole Vehicle Type Approval) certification awarded by RDW Netherlands.

Quadricycles are not allowed to be sold in India, despite a go-ahead from the government. Public interest litigation has prevented Bajaj from launching here. Bajaj had said the Qute was to be run as a commercial passenger carrier for intra-city transport.  

‘Quadricycles are still not subject to the same legislation as passenger cars. Nevertheless, these vehicles look like small city cars and are likely to compete for sales. However, their performance in Euro NCAP’s tests is far below a similarly-sized passenger car which can be bought second-hand more cheaply,: added the Euro NCAP report.

The Qute was one among four quadricycles (Aixam Crossover GTR, Chatenet CH30 and Microcar M.GO Family) tested by the agency. Only the Chatenet CH30 secured a two-star rating. The other three got only one star, even as the Microcar is fitted with a driver airbag.

"The standard of protection offered to the driver is still generally very low, leading to serious risks in collisions with other vehicles or obstacles," the agency observed after the tests.

David Ward, the director general of Global NCAP, said: "Euro NCAP and Global NCAP are working in partnership to help draw policymaker and consumer attention to this category of badly performing and poorly regulated vehicles. Quadricycles have significant potential for sales in markets across the world and it is essential that minimum safety standards are put in place and that consumers are made aware of their safety shortcomings, especially when compared with similarly sized passenger cars."