Tata Motors has asked the automotive safety component maker Autoliv IFB India to develop a $10 air bag for its small car Nano. This will be the world's cheapest air bag, as those fitted in other small cars like the Zen Estilo start from $150.
Nano is likely to have two frontal air bags for the two high-end deluxe variants. The deluxe version will also have air-conditioning, music system and alloy wheels while the base variant will be a no-frill car.
While companies like Bosch has developed a special low-priced CRDi fuel system for Nano's diesel variant and Honeywell Turbo India has also made a similar miniature turbo-charger system for the small engine, Autoliv, a worldwide leader in automotive safety components, is understood to be working on the ultra-cheap air bags.
Nano's closet rival Maruti 800 does not have an air bag. According to market sources, each of the twin air bags in the Zen Estilo is priced around $150. Air bags are passive safety components in motorised vehicles which cushion the passenger during a frontal crash. They inflate within a fraction of a second to save passengers from any serious injury. International studies have reported that air bags reduce accident fatalities by 10%, when seat belts are worn.
A Tata Motors spokesperson said: “The company is under discussion with various suppliers for such equipment. The company has not taken any decision on air bags, and, therefore, there is nothing specific to Autoliv IFB India Ltd.” An email message to Autoliv IFB India president V Raghu went unanswered.
According to sources in the automobile industry, Tata Motors had been looking for global standards for air bags and other safety equipment as Nano will be launched in overseas markets in future.
“Autoliv is the largest manufacturer of air bags with 28% market share in the world. Like other Nano suppliers, it can reinvent and minimise the manufacturing process and bring in innovative product design to meet stringent cost targets for Nano. It is banking on the large volumes envisaged for Nano. Keeping in view the global experience of Autoliv, Tata Motors has asked it to develop air bags that are compliant with worldwide safety standards,” sources said. “The new air bags are expected to be much simpler than those fitted in expensive cars,” he added.
