text: "At Toyota, the airbag utilisation has grown with its standardisation across models and variants. In 2015, we were the first in the industry to standardise dual airbags across all models. In 2016, with the new Innova Crysta, frontal knee airbags were standardised across its variants. The new Fortuner launched the same year, marked standardisation of 7 airbags across variants. In the recently launched Yaris, we have standardised 7 airbags across variants, a first in the segment," said N Raja, deputy managing director at Toyota Kirloskar Motor.
  Korean car maker Hyundai said the sales contribution of airbag fitted cars in total sales volume stood at 90 per cent in FY18, more than double compared to 40 per cent in FY15. "Our suppliers are geared up for the rise demand and localisation level of airbag is quite high," said a company spokesperson.
  According to Minda Industries, which has partnered with Japan's Toyoda Gosei for local manufacturing of safety equipment, a total of about three million airbags were supplied to various carmakers last year. "We supplied 756,000 airbags last year and got revenue of Rs 3.5 billion. Prices have remained consistent since key components are imported. However, when the key component suppliers set up shops in India in times to come the prices may come down by 5-7 per cent," said NK Minda, chairman and managing director.
  Even as airbags are becoming a common feature in cars, manufacturers claim the first point of safety in a vehicle is the usage of seatbelt by all the occupants. "That will reduce the injury predominantly. Airbags can only improve it by ten per cent. If you don't wear a seat belt and the vehicle has an airbag, the consequences are going to be more fatal," said an industry executive.