Nissan’s budget-priced Datsun Go hatchback has sold poorly since it debuted with much fanfare in India last March. Now a devastating new crash test assessment of the car’s crash safety will probably end its sales in India and possibly the region where it is due for launch. In fact, the first Datsun model since the brand was discontinued in 1986 tested so poorly that the testing organization has asked Nissan to withdraw the Datsun Go from India.
The car got a zero-star safety rating for adult occupant protection in a test conducted by Global New Car Assessment Program. NCAP said the vehicle structure collapsed when crashed, and indeed was so unstable that it would be pointless to include airbags.
“It is extremely disappointing that Nissan has authorized the launch of a brand-new model that is so clearly substandard,” said Global NCAP Chairman Max Mosley, who called for “an urgent redesign of the car’s body-shell.” He added that Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn should “demonstrate leadership” by putting a stop to the Datsun Go, which is priced starting at USD5,100.
Maruti-Suzuki’s Swift, one of India’s best-selling models, also got zero stars in the NCAP testing. Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers head Vishnu Mathur accused Global NCAP of scaremongering. “Every country has its own safety requirements,” Mathur said. “Our cars are meeting safety norms set by the government.”
