In a striking blow to Stellantis, the Citroën ë-C3 has alarmingly scored zero stars for adult occupant safety and only one star for child occupant safety in the latest Global NCAP crash tests. This test is one of the concluding assessments under the #SaferCarsForIndia campaign, marking a significant moment as Bharat NCAP is set to be fully operational within the year.
Manufactured in India with an eye on emerging global markets, the ë-C3’s dire safety performance raises concerns not just locally but internationally, spotlighting the urgent need for enhanced vehicle safety standards worldwide.
Alejandro Furas, the Secretary General of Global NCAP, expressed deep disappointment with Stellantis, highlighting a concerning departure from PSA’s historically commendable safety standards. “This is an appalling result from Stellantis,” Furas remarked, emphasizing the critical need for the automotive conglomerate to promptly address and rectify this downward spiral in safety.
Echoing Furas’s concerns, David Ward, Executive President of the Towards Zero Foundation, pointed out the broader implications of such a result. The safety of consumers in India and other developing markets is in jeopardy, and this issue is poised to be a key discussion point at the upcoming NCAP24 World Congress in Munich.
The Citroën ë-C3’s evaluation revealed significant vulnerabilities: poor chest protection for the passenger, inadequate driver’s chest protection, and a stark absence of side head protection systems and Electronic Stability Control (ESC) across all models. The vehicle’s child safety measures were equally disappointing, offering minimal protection and failing to provide essential safety features like three-point seat belts in all seating positions and a passenger airbag disconnection switch.
This stark assessment underscores a pressing call for Stellantis to revisit and significantly improve their safety protocols, ensuring that vehicles like the ë-C3 meet and exceed global safety standards to protect all occupants, regardless of the market.
