India-made Chevrolet Beat fails Latin NCAP crash test

The poor score can be attributed to the lack of airbags as the structure was rated as stable in the frontal crash test. A side impact test was not performed as it failed the frontal test. Interestingly, the restraint system for small child was forward facing, rather than rear-facing, and that it lacks proper instructions for Child Restraint System installation. The crash-test child dummies recorded high readings during the test.

It's quite a contrast to the Spark sold in Europe which features six airbags as standard – it was awarded 4 stars by Euro NCAP. The Spark is one of GM's top-selling hatchbacks in countries like Mexico and Colombia, and is imported from Talegaon, Maharashtra.

Chevrolet India is working on the next-gen Chevrolet Beat, which is expected to launch in early 2017. It will spawn a crossover (Chevrolet Beat Activ) and sub-4m sedan (Chevrolet Beat Essentia) as well.