Hyundai Motor India, which became the first mass-market vehicle maker to make 6 airbags mandatory, is accelerating its advanced safety assist features and expects 100 percent of vehicles to sport ADAS features and Blue link connectivity features by 2025.
The new safety initiative announced by Hyundai Motor India on Tuesday has been implemented on a 3-pillar strategy.
First, it will offer advanced safety features like ADAS across more models. Second, key safety features like ESC – (Electronic Stability Control), VSM Vehicle Stability Management and Hill-start assist across the entire model range will be offered as an option, and lastly, there will be standardisation of some vital Safety Features across all models and all variants.These features the company claims have been “extremely effective in preventing accidents.”
ADAS which comes under Advanced Safety Expansion is already available in 5 models. The company expects 60 percent of its portfolio to come with the ADAS feature by 2024, which will move to all models by 2025.
“Hyundai is the first mass OEM to offer ADAS in a sub 4m SUV – the Hyundai Venue, thereby making it India’s most affordable SUV equipped with ADAS. This is clearly a big leap towards democratisation of advanced safety features. Looking ahead, our commitment remains strong, as we aim for hundred percent (100%) coverage across the line-up,” said Tarun Garg, COO of Hyundai Motor India.
He also claimed Hyundai is the first mass vehicle maker to introduce Blue link in-built Connected-Car Technology feature in 2019, offering advanced safety features siuch as stolen vehicle tracking and immobilisation, geo-fencing, SOS and emergency assistance, to name a few.
At present 80 percent of its portfolio has a Blue link option and here the aim is to reach hundred percent penetration in the foreseeable future.
Garg reminded that India has the second largest road network in the world and over the last eight years, the length of national highways has increased to 1.45 lakh kms and at the same time, the number of vehicles on the road have surged by a staggering 62 percent and the top speed on few of the expressways is now at par with global standards, hence it is only natural that upgrading of vehicle safety levels should go hand-in-hand with this speedy development of road infrastructure.
In line with the company’s “Safety First” approach, Hyundai Motor has regularly introduced many active and passive safety features over the last few years, thereby elevating the safety standards of its vehicles and now in 2023, “We have taken a major leap in this safety journey with a mission to ensure #safety for all. Under this mission, we have undertaken various initiatives for safety enhancement & standardisation, thus, leading the drive to make Indian roads safer for drivers, occupants as well as pedestrians,” said Garg.
“In 2022, we introduced the dash cam in the Venue N Line, earning appreciation from one and all for the sense of security and peace of mind that it provided. At present dash cam is featured across 5 models, including our entry SUV – the Hyundai Exter,” he added.
As part of its initiative to expand the advanced safety features, the company will expand the application of new safety technologies like the Surround View Monitor, Blind View Monitor, EPB and Front Parking Sensors across more models.
The safety features like TPMS (Tyre Pressure Monitoring System) and rear camera are accessible across all models thereby providing timely warnings and enhanced driving safety. For superior child protection, ISOFIX child seat anchorage feature is also available across HMIL models again as an option.
As part of its initiative to standardise safety features across all models and all variants, the entire lineup has been equipped with 3-point seat belts and seat belt reminders for all seats as a standard feature across all variants.
Garg said the company is taking a “big leap” in its safety journey, and announced that Hyundai India has become the “first mass OEM” to standardise 6 airbags across all models and all variants.
“Our 2023 journey showcases our stead-fast and sincere commitment to our mission “Safetyforall” In 2023, we have continuously upgraded our line-up with standard vital safety features like 6 airbags, 3 point seat belt and seat belt reminder for all seats. Additionally, we have also expanded application of advanced safety features like ADAS and Dash cam in our line-up. And now, the complete democratization of 6 airbags across all models & all variants is like an icing on the cake for our beloved Indian customers,” said Garg.
Hyundai claims to offer 65 safety features, with 6 Airbags as standard, ADAS Level 2, and now featuring a GNCAP 5 Star safety rating for both Adult and Child occupant protection, the Hyundai Verna stands out as the safest sedan in the segment.
“This is just the beginning and we will continue to strive more and more towards our Mission Safety for all, On its part, Hyundai India has already submitted 3 of its models for BNCAP,” Garg added.