Continental Significantly Increases Manufacturing Of Airbag Control Units In India

Keeping its commitment to Vision Zero, a world with zero road crashes, zero fatalities, and zero injuries, Continental Technology has added a new assembly line to manufacture airbag control units (ACUs) at its Central Electronics Plant in Bangalore. Road safety is undergoing a transformation in India. The implementation of safety regulations and stringent crash test norms as well as increasing safety awareness among end users are driving this change. The country is witnessing an increase in the take rate of safety features in vehicles.

Prashanth Doreswamy, Market Head of Continental India and Managing Director of Continental Automotive India, added: “We are continuing to invest in India to support its growing market. With the increase in safety awareness and legislative norms in India, demand for safety technologies is at an all-time high. Continental is prepared to address this need. We are fully committed to making mobility safer in India, and to supporting OEMs in adopting technologies efficiently."

Affordable Safety

Each version of Continental’s Airbag Control Unit is based on a modular safety platform called SPEED (Safety Platform for Efficient & Economical Design), which is scalable, flexible, and cost optimized via modular building blocks. With its basic functions and integration option of additional safety functions, it is designed to meet all market requirements. The basic version supports basic passive safety functions and therefore is suited to rising demand for cost-effective safety features, such front and side airbags and belt pre-tensioners, in emerging markets. Additional safety functions such as Vehicle Dynamics Sensing, Rollover Detection, and Event Data Recording can be integrated within the modular concept.

Norms in India

Implementing vehicle safety measures is getting much-needed attention in India, the fourth largest car market in the world. The Indian government has devised stringent crash test norms to reduce road fatalities. The Bharat New Vehicle Safety Assessment Program (BNVSAP) is a proposed New Car Assessment Program for India implemented by law and intended to increase the safety of vehicle occupants. All new cars sold in India will be assigned star ratings based on their safety performance. Crucial safety features that support vehicle safety such as airbags, ABS, and seat belt reminders will be assessed, and crash tests will become mandatory. These safety features must be standard in new cars sold in India.