Vehicles speeding down the highway momentarily serve as a protective shell for their passengers, demanding a highly secure and impenetrable construction. Both car manufacturers and government regulations strive to ensure the safety of these mobile cocoons, considering not only the safety features within the cars but traffic regulations as well. Amidst these efforts, there are those who, driven by greed, do not hesitate to gamble with people's lives. Delhi Police have just exposed such a syndicate.
Recently, Delhi Police apprehended a group involved in the illegal manufacturing and sale of counterfeit airbags (Fake Airbags). Operating for over 4 years in Delhi, this gang had been producing fake airbags branded as Maruti Suzuki, BMW, Volkswagen, and other significant names. Three members of the group have been arrested, and police seized fake airbags worth approximately 1.84 crore rupees during their raid.
Source: aajtak
Police disclosed that a workshop near Mata Sundari Road in central Delhi was raided, where the gang manufactured counterfeit airbags for almost all automotive brands sold in India. The raid led to the discovery of fake airbags of 16 different brands, including Maruti Suzuki, Volkswagen, BMW, Citroen, Nissan, Renault, Mahindra, Toyota, Honda, Tata Motors, Ford, Kia, Suzuki, Hyundai, and Volvo.
The Deputy Commissioner of Central District, M. Harshvardhan, asserts that they are treating the matter with utmost seriousness. For 3-4 years, the group had been producing counterfeit airbags without authorization. Police are now coordinating with the automotive companies to verify the airbags' compliance with standard regulations. Preliminary findings suggest that the accused were distributing these fakes to workshops across the country.
How can you recognize a Fake AIRBAG?
The critical question arises: how do we safeguard against fake airbags? It's usually not possible to identify counterfeit airbags just by looking at them from the outside, as they are integrated into the car's body. However, there are key points to consider for inspection if your car ever needs an airbag replacement.
Unique Part Number:
Each airbag comes with a unique part number that can be cross-referenced with the car manufacturer's database. If these numbers do not match, it's likely the airbag is fake.
Airbag Quality:
An airbag resembles a robust inflatable cover, typically made from sturdy textiles similar to polyester. Designed for tensile strength to provide protection during accidents, you can detect a fake by its distinct lower quality.
Tampering and Damage:
Counterfeit airbags usually have inferior finishing and fitting, often made from substandard materials that show signs of damage. Pay close attention to labeling, stitching, material quality, and how well it fits.
How to avoid Counterfeit AIRBAGS:
Identifying an authentic airbag isn't always straightforward. To avoid being duped by counterfeits, here are some precautions you can take:
1)-
For any airbag-related issues, always get it checked at an authorized service center.
2)-
Avoid the mistake of changing your airbag at ordinary roadside workshops.
3)-
Steer clear of purchasing airbags online, as many shopping sites are luring customers with cheaper, fake products.
4)-
Also, avoid the temptation of affordable airbags promoted on social media.
Source: aajtak
How does an Airbag work:
Mohan Savarkar, Chief Production Officer at Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles Ltd., explains, "Upon collision, the pre-installed nitrogen gas in the SRS system fills the airbag in a matter of milliseconds. The airbag then deploys, providing passengers with cushioning and protection. The airbag has holes to release the gas after deployment."
Can Aftermarket Airbag repairs be trusted?
"If an accident severely deploys the airbag, don't go for aftermarket airbag installation. The crash's impact damages several parts of the body that absorb energy and need proper repair. In such cases, repairs should always be done at authorized service centers," advises Mohan Savarkar.
