Tata cars have time and again proved their mettle by keeping their occupants safe in some major crash tests. On the other hand of the spectrum are Maruti Suzuki models, which have often been criticised for offering really low level of safety. Even the NCAP tests that have been conducted on these vehicles reflect their crash test performance. The Tata Zest, for example, is a 4-star rated car from NCAP. It’s not on sale anymore but it has time and again proved to be a robust model that can keep its occupants safe in an event of a crash. On the other hand, the Maruti Baleno has always been criticised for the low crash protection it offers. The small car even received a 0-star rating at Latin NCAP recently. A recent incident, however, shows that the Baleno has turned out to be as safe as the Zest in a high-speed contact the two cars had during an overtaking manoeuvre.
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Speaking about the incident, one Ankur Verma, the owner of the Maruti Baleno involved in the crash, says – “Had such a worst accident yesterday while travelling with my whole family…thnx god all are safe with not even a single scratches and all. It’s happened due to overtaking by another person and suddenly he changed the lane and hit my Baleno car. Just sharing these pics as some tata owners in this group always comment about the built quality of Baleno. So it’s better to compare who got more damages. So jb accident hoga, to wo tata ho ya Maruti sabki fategi…“
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So, basically, it looks like what has happened is that the Tata Zest has rubbed against the Maruti Baleno while overtaking the vehicle. This contact led to both the vehicles getting starched around their running boards and the fenders. Ankur goes on to state that even though it might look like there’s not much damage to either of the vehicles, he understands the severity of the accident as he was involved in it. Regardless of the severity of the crash, we’re happy that occupants in either of the vehicles are safe and have emerged scratchless from this mishap.
Recently, the Maruti Baleno was awarded a 0-star rating by Latin NCAP. Speaking on this, Alejandro Furas, Secretary General, Latin NCAP said, โBalenoโs zero-star is part of an ongoing disappointment after Swiftโs zero-star rating some weeks ago. With especially poor safety performance in adult and child occupant protection on offer from Suzuki as standard for Latin American consumers.โ
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So, what do you have to say about this latest incident involving the Maruti Baleno and the Tata Zest?