In a recent survey conducted by Skoda Auto India in collaboration with NIQ BASES, it was found that an overwhelming majority of Indian customers, 92% to be precise, prioritize safety features over fuel efficiency when purchasing a car. The survey sheds light on the evolving mindset of Indian car buyers, who now consider safety ratings as a crucial factor in their decision-making process.
The study aimed to understand the feature preferences of Indian customers when it comes to buying a car. The results unveiled two significant findings: first, 9 out of 10 respondents believe that all cars in India should have a safety rating, and second, crash-test ratings and multiple airbags emerged as the top two features customers look for in a car.
The survey encompassed a diverse group of participants, consisting of 67% car owners who already possess a vehicle priced above Rs 5 lakh, while the remaining 33% intended to purchase a car in the same price range within the next year. The respondents, aged between 18 and 54, primarily fell into the SEC A and B segments, with 80% of them being male and 20% female.
When evaluating their car purchasing decisions, customers ranked the car’s crash rating as their foremost concern, with an importance score of 22.3%. Several airbags closely followed, securing an importance score of 21.6%. Fuel efficiency, a traditionally sought-after feature in the Indian market, claimed the third spot with an importance score of 15.0%.
Delving into the specifics of crash ratings, the survey revealed a significant preference for 5-star and 4-star ratings, with 22.2% and 21.3% importance scores, respectively. A crash rating of zero garnered the lowest preference, scoring only 6.8%. In recent years, Global NCAP has initiated crash tests for Indian cars through its ‘Safer Cars for India’ program, which assesses Adult Occupant Protection and Child Occupant Protection. Notably, the survey findings indicate that approximately 76% of Indians are aware of the existence of two sets of 5-star safety ratings for crash tests, while only 30% could correctly identify child-rear occupant safety ratings as one of the parameters.
To aid consumers in making informed choices, the latest Global NCAP ratings have identified the top 10 safest cars in India for 2023. The list includes models such as the Skoda Kushaq, Volkswagen Taigun, Skoda Slavia, Volkswagen Virtus, Mahindra XUV700, Mahindra Scorpio, Tata Punch, Mahindra XUV300, Tata Altroz, and Tata Nexon.
The survey findings highlight a significant shift in Indian consumers’ mindset, with an increasing emphasis on vehicle safety. As awareness regarding crash-test ratings and safety features continues to grow, car manufacturers are likely to respond by prioritizing safety innovations in their offerings. The demand for safer cars in India is steadily rising, reflecting a positive trend towards enhancing road safety for all motorists and passengers.
