Maruti, M&M skid as popular car models fail crash test

Mumbai: Shares of Maruti Suzuki and Mahindra & Mahindra fell by as much as 4 percent today after their popular passenger vehicle models in India -- Celerio, Eeco and Scorpio -- failed crash test by vehicle safety group Global NCAP with 'zero star' ratings.

The scrip of Maruti fell 3.57 percent to Rs 3,808 on BSE.

Shares of Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) too went down 2.17 percent to Rs 1,312.25.

Five popular passenger vehicle models in India -- Maruti's Celerio and Eeco van , Renault Kwid, Mahindra Scorpio and Hyundai Eon -- have failed crash tests by Global NCAP with 'zero star' ratings.

The companies, however, have contested the test results.

The UK-based group tested five models, which included Eeco, sold in India, and found that the vehicles "showed low levels of adult occupant protection".

However, Maruti Suzuki insisted that all its products were safe and met "the safety standards of India and in most cases, exceed them".

According to Global NCAP, Mahindra Scorpio scored zero star rating in the adult occupant protection and two stars in child occupant protection.

M&M on its part said its entire automotive products are developed and manufactured to meet or exceed the safety standards set in India.