EDITORIAL NOTE
Cars can — and should — be as safe as houses
Renault has launched an automatic version of its Kwid, but the lack of safety is still unacceptable, says Lerato Matebese
The contentious topic of manufacturers making their vehicles safer is one that makes sense. I mean, think about it — Volvo is pushing the envelope of reporting zero deaths or serious injuries in its new cars as soon as 2020. If there is a company that can pull it off, Volvo Cars is it. While at this stage only the Swedish car maker has boldly made this promise, you can be assured others will follow suit. Basic safety requirements should be something that goes without saying, a standard proviso for every new passenger car. ABS brakes, dual airbags and pre-tensioned safety belts for rear passengers should be an easy thing to do. Manufacturers skimping on these safety measures in the name of keeping the price below that of rivals is rash. An example was late in 2014 when Datsun launched the Go. Another was two years later when Renault ushered in the equally unsafe Kwid. The Motor News team has been scathing of these two products and, since our road test of the Kwid, we are even more co...
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