Maruti Suzuki joins rivals in safety race

In a surprise pivot, Maruti Suzuki India Ltd that had been loath to voluntarily sending its vehicles for crash testing recently put forward its new Dzire sedan for the Global New Car Assessment Program's (GNCAP) crash test.

- Alisha Sachdev

India's largest passenger car-maker was confident that the vehicle will pass the test with flying colours, achieve the highest five-star safety rating and subdue constant criticism that the company doesn't prioritize passenger safety.

Dzire did not disappoint.

The first-ever GNCAP 5-star rating for Maruti Suzuki marks a milestone as it looks to compete with rivals Tata Motors and Hyundai, which have increasingly made safety a focal point in their marketing. The shift is notable given Maruti's previous reluctance to participate in the GNCAP program, which it once dismissed due to its ties to competitor-backed funding sources. Now, the company seems to be catching up to evolving consumer priorities and a more safety-conscious market.