Quadricycle divides auto sector; no consensus at meet with road minister

Differences over the government's decision to notify quadricycles as a new class of vehicles resurfaced at a meeting on Friday, with the transport ministry and various automobile companies stressing the need for more stringent safety regulations.

While some automotive companies such as Tata Motors maintained their opposition on introducing quadricycles on Indian roads, owing to poor safety features and high emissions, others sought time to launch these.

Tata Motors Chairman Cyrus Mistry and Managing Director Karl Slym and Mahindra & Mahindra President (automotive & farm equipment sectors) Pawan Goenka were among the executives who participated in the meeting, presided by Road Transport and Highways Minister Oscar Fernandes.

Companies that have either sought improved rules or are against the government's move to allow such a class of vehicles to ply on Indian roads include Tata Motors, Maruti Suzuki, Mahindra and Mahindra and TVS Motors.

Speaking to Business Standard, Fernandes said, "It was an informal meeting…companies expressed their point of view. We issued a statutory notice which had a one-month period; whoever has an objection can respond by September 26. We have listened to all the parties involved and a decision would be taken after September 26."

Sources said companies clearly opposed imposing regulations applicable to three-wheelers on quadricycles. They said a mix of the regulations set for three-wheelers and cars should be framed for the new segment.

Pune-based Bajaj Auto, Piaggio India and Eicher Motors are in favour of quadricycles in the country. Bajaj Auto has already developed a product on the lines of a quadricycle and is awaiting the government's approval for its launch in India. It has promoted the quadricycle as a "three-wheeler with a safety of a fourth wheel". "Any move to artificially postpone the introduction of quadricycles would be to put the interest of some selfish corporates ahead of the good of all customers who would like to choose a greener and safer vehicle. Thus an effort to do so is not one that provides a level playing field but rather one that promotes cartelisation", said Rajiv Bajaj, managing director, Bajaj Auto Limited.

Italian company Piaggio, among the largest manufacturers of quadricycles in Europe, has asked the ministry to provide equal time for all manufacturers to develop their products for the proposed segment.

TVS Motors, which had first mooted the idea of quadricycles about a decade ago, only to be faced with opposition from Bajaj Auto, has opposed the idea this time. It has said quadricycles would lead to rise in pollution and congestion in urban areas.

In May this year, the government had approved the idea of allowing this new class of four-wheeled vehicles. To address the concern of auto makers over safety and emission norms, the ministry had suggested quadricycles be registered only under the commercial transport category for intra-city transport. It had added these vehicles should bear the 'Q' sign to distinguish them from cars.