The age of making tall claims by auto manufacturers on their product mileage may be soon over. Soon all the cars and bike with a certified fuel Indicator. The Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) that tests vehicles for conformity to norms under Central Motor Vehicle Rules, will certify the mileage before they are launched. “ARAI tests each vehicle for fuel efficiency in any case so it does not mean any new procedure to be included into a manufacturer’s manual,” said Dilip Chenoy, director general, Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM). “So far, these figures were kept secret but now they will have to be made public.”
This new procedure will kickstart when the Tata launches its Nano next month. Nano was tested by ARAI and certified a mileage yesterday. The fuel efficiency figures or mileage of Nano will be displayed at the Tata’s dealerships. The mileage certified by the ARAI will also be supplied to Nano buyers along with the documentation of the product..Other products will also follow the same
With the introduction of mileage indicator with every product, ARAI hopes to moderate increasing competition between car and 2-wheeler companies on fuel efficiency stakes to rest.. However, the figure will only be indicative in nature and companies can’t be taken to court if the product fails to deliver the mileage claimed.