Maruti offers dual airbags and ABS on the Algeria-spec version of the Alto that is exported from the Indian facility, but is not available on the India-spec model.
Post the zero stars scored at the Euro NCAP by the Alto last year, Maruti Suzuki was heavily criticised for under equipping the India-spec vehicles in terms of safety. Not only Maruti, but other manufacturers too went through a similar ordeal for their mass market offerings that lacked most of the safety features that are otherwise mandatory in developed countries. Making amends to its products, the country’s largest carmaker spoke about making various advanced safety features available on its entry-level cars at a recent press conference, in a bid to make for a safer driving environment.
Maruti Suzuki is working to incorporate features like Anti-Lock Braking Systems (ABS) and Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD) available on the entry-level Alto to make it a safer vehicle. Both the Alto 800 and Alto K10 models currently get only the driver-side airbag as a safety feature on the VXi (Optional) variant; while the base variants are devoid of any safety tech on offer. Surprisingly, the Algerian-spec Alto 800 and Alto K10 exported from the Indian manufacturing facility get dual airbags, ABS and EBD as standard.
With concerns for safety growing among the government and consumers alike, it is good to see the manufacturers taking an initiative to adopt the same on its budget oriented models. With the inclusion of ABS, the prices will see a marginal rise on both the Alto models, but is certainly a small price to pay in exchange for improved safety. The timeline though for making these features available wasn’t given by the company. In addition, Maruti is looking to introduce AMT units on its existing and new model range, once Magneti Marelli’s production plant at Manesar commences operations in the third quarter of this year.
