Maruti Suzuki Baleno Latin NCAP rating is a shocker

New Delhi : Maruti Suzuki Baleno is sold under the luxury hatchback segment by the company and it was expected that the car would have a decent safety when it comes to crash test, but like other Maruti Suzuki hatchback, Made-in-India Baleno has obtained zero safety ratings in Latin NCAP crash test.

This is the second Made-in-India product, sold in the Latin America region, which has scored zero safety ratings; earlier, Maruti Suzuki Swift had scored zero stars.

The Baleno car which was sent for testing comes with two airbags as standard; despite that it managed to score 20.03 per cent for adult occupant protection and 17.06 per cent for child occupant safety. That said, the car scored a decent 64.06 per cent for pedestrian protection and vulnerable road users, however, when it came to safety assist features, the score fell to a disappointing 6.98 per cent.

Alejandro Furas, Secretary General of Latin NCAP said, "Baleno's zero-star is part of an ongoing disappointment, after the Swift's zero-star rating some weeks ago. With specially poor safety performance in adult and child occupant protection on offer from Suzuki as standard to Latin American consumers." He has asked Suzuki to significantly improve the standard safety equipment on the model as soon as possible and for it to be tested to demonstrate the improvements. He added, "Basic vehicle safety, which is taken for granted in mature markets, is a right that Latin American consumers should claim without having to pay extra for them".

Latin NCAP pointed out that the Baleno sold in Europe comes with 6 airbags and ESC as standard, while the model in Latin America does not.