Neither Central Motor Vehicle Rules (CMVR) nor the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) prescribes minimum galvanisation levels or corrosion resistance benchmarks for passenger vehicles.Industry experts have called for urgent reforms to ensure that cars sold in the domestic market receive the same level of corrosion protection as export-bound vehicles, highlighting a growing safety and economic concern for Indian consumers, as per a report by PTI.
Cars manufactured in India for markets such as Europe, Japan, North America and Africa typically use 70 per cent or more galvanised steel and carry 6–12-year anti-corrosion warranties. In contrast, most mass-market cars sold within India have minimal galvanisation and offer little to no corrosion warranty, despite being built on the same platforms.
Protection of cars
Experts estimate that rust-related damage costs India nearly 5 per cent of GDP, or over $100 billion annually, affecting vehicles, infrastructure and industrial assets. For car owners, the impact is visible in rising repair bills, rapid structural deterioration and lower resale value — often after just a few monsoon cycles.
Galvanising a vehicle adds less than 0.1 per cent to its manufacturing cost but can prevent significant long-term damage, experts say, arguing that skipping it shifts the financial burden onto consumers. Safety concerns are also mounting: with about 70 per cent of a car’s structure made of steel, corrosion can weaken chassis sections, suspension mounts and critical joints, compromising crash performance.
L Pugazhenthy, Executive Director of the India Lead Zinc Development Association (ILZDA), said Indian buyers deserve the same protection provided to global customers. “Exported Indian cars have zinc-coated steel bodies; why not pass on the same benefit to domestic car owners? Consumers all over the world seek similar durability and satisfaction,” he said.
Currently, neither the Central Motor Vehicle Rules (CMVR) nor the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) prescribes minimum galvanisation levels or corrosion resistance benchmarks for passenger vehicles. Industry observers say updated standards could significantly improve vehicle longevity, safety and value for Indian consumers.
