(Corrects paragraph 3 to say Maruti will fit all its models with 6 airbags by the end of fiscal 2026, not April)
(Reuters) -Maruti Suzuki secured a five-star safety rating for its popular 'Dzire' small car, India's transport minister said on Wednesday, marking a milestone for the country's largest carmaker that has for long lagged its rivals in safety.
Its upgraded 'Dzire' model, launched in November, secured the highest rating of five stars under India's local safety standard, Bharat New Car Assessment Program (NCAP), the first such Maruti model to hit the milestone.
As part of its efforts to catch up to local rivals, Maruti has said it would fit all its cars with six airbags by the end of fiscal 2026, as Indian buyers seek safer options.
Smaller rivals Tata Motors and Mahindra already have several Bharat NCAP five-star rated cars in their lineup.
"It's heartening to witness mainstream models setting new benchmarks in vehicle safety," India's Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari said in a post on X.
(Reporting by Nandan Mandayam in Bengaluru; Editing by Leroy Leo)
