HC: Small Cars Sales To Resume In Assam

Just days after the High Court banned sales of cars under 1,500 kg that failed to meet global safety standards, the High Court has allowed the sales of small vehicles that meet crash test and emission norms in the country.

This comes as a big relief to carmakers such as Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai and Honda since the festive season is just around the corner, which will help boost sales. Car sales had fallen by 60 percent since the ban.

The court said in an order:
"There cannot be any prohibition restricting registration and sale of four-wheelers with a mass of up to 1,500 kg and quadricycles that have undergone the crash and emission tests conforming to the requirements and standards set by the Bureau of Indian Standards and vehicles which have been certified by the statutory authority."

With more than 16 car companies affected by this order, SIAM said in a petition that all cars sold in India are certified and have passed crash, emission and other mandatory norms prescribed by the Motor Vehicles Act.

Carmakers in India have time until 2017, when India will adopt strict crash test and pedestrian safety standards.