Fake Airbags news: Airbags provided in cars are crucial safety features for passengers. They are designed with special materials to have tensile strength, ensuring passengers’ safety in case of an accident. However, recently, the Delhi Police exposed a gang manufacturing fake airbags.
A car traveling on the road, even for a short distance, acts as a safety shield for its passengers. It is essential for it to be strong and impenetrable. Car companies and the government have made significant efforts to ensure passenger safety, whether through safety features in cars or traffic regulations on the road. However, amidst these efforts, some individuals disregard people’s lives for money. One such gang has been exposed by the Delhi Police.
Recently, the Delhi Police arrested a gang involved in the illegal manufacture and sale of fake airbags. This gang, operating in Delhi for the past four years, was making fake airbags under the names of prominent brands such as Maruti Suzuki, BMW, and Volkswagen. Currently, the police have arrested three members of this gang and seized 921 counterfeit airbags worth approximately Rs 1.84 crore in the raid.
According to police statements, a raid was conducted at a workshop near Mata Sundari Road in Central Delhi, where this gang was manufacturing fake airbags for almost all brands sold in India. During the raid, police found airbags of 16 brands, including Maruti Suzuki, Volkswagen, BMW, Citroen, Nissan, Renault, Mahindra, Toyota, Honda, Tata Motors, Ford, Kia, Suzuki, Hyundai, and Volvo.
Regarding this matter, Central District Deputy Commissioner M. Harsh Vardhan stated that he takes this matter seriously. This gang had been producing counterfeit airbags for the past 3-4 years without proper authorization. The police are coordinating with vehicle manufacturing companies to verify whether these airbags were manufactured according to standard regulations. It has been understood prima facie that these accused individuals were distributing these fake airbags to workshops across the country.
How to Recognize Fake Airbags?
In such a situation, the biggest question is how to avoid fake airbags. Generally, you cannot identify the airbag fitted in a car by looking at it from above. Because these are installed inside the body of the car. But if there is a need to replace the airbag in your car, then there are some points which can be considered and checked.
Unique Part Number:
Each airbag is assigned a unique part number. You should match these numbers with the car manufacturer’s database to confirm their authenticity. If the part number does not match, the airbag is likely counterfeit.
Airbag Quality:
An airbag is usually a balloon-like covering made of strong textile or fabric, such as polyester. It is designed with special materials to have tensile strength to keep passengers safe in case of an accident. The quality of fake airbags differs, making them easily detectable.
Tampering and Damage:
The finish and fitting of fake airbags are not that good. Counterfeit airbags are often made from inferior materials and may have visible wear or damaged parts. Look at the quality of labeling, stitching, material, as well as fitment.
HOW TO AVOID COUNTERFEIT AIRBAG:
It is not easy for a common man to identify an airbag. Because this is a part which is not always visible to the common people, it is not necessary. There can be deception in identifying it. Therefore, here we are telling you some measures by which you can avoid the fraud of fake airbags.
- To check any kind of defect in the airbag of the car, always get it checked at the official service center only.
- Never make the mistake of getting the airbag changed at a normal roadside workshop.
- Avoid purchasing airbags online. Nowadays there are many online shopping sites which are selling fake airbags by luring low prices.
- Avoid the temptation of purchasing low-priced and cheap airbags even on social media.
How does an airbag work:
Mohan Savarkar, Chief Production Officer, Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles Limited, explains, “As an accident occurs, the nitrogen gas already installed in the SRS system is filled into the airbag. The entire process happens in the blink of an eye, i.e., a few milliseconds. After this, the airbag inflates and provides better cushioning to the passenger. Holes are provided in the airbag which releases the gas after deployment.
Can aftermarket airbag repair be done?
Mohan Savarkar explains that, “If there is an accident with any car and the crash is so severe that the airbags get deployed, then in this case never get aftermarket airbags installed. Because there are many such airbags installed on the body at the time of the accident. The elements which are used to observe energy also get damaged. In such a situation, always get the vehicle repaired at an authorized service center.