Is the absence of modern safety features on the Maruti Tour H2 a deal breaker for responsible fleet operators?

Competitively priced and fuel efficient, the Maruti Tour H2 has received flak for not having many modern safety features on board as compared to a few other vehicles in the class. This has reignited the debate about the trade off between affordability and safety in the commercial vehicle sector, and especially in the area of taxi fleets. There are those who insist that basic safety features should be considered non negotiable, especially when a vehicle carries passengers commercially. Some argue that the lower price point allows more operators to upgrade from older, and potentially less safe vehicles. Questions of regulatory requirements, the responsibility of fleet operators versus manufacturers, and the potential effect on insurance costs and liability are discussed. The competitiveness of taxi services using these vehicles is also considered in light of passenger perceptions of safety in an age of heightened awareness of road safety.