General Motors is being called on by various groups to install airbags on its Chevy Aveo models being sold in Mexico. The company placed an affordable price tag in this compact car model but it is putting the lives of drivers at risk since it is not equipped with standard safety features.

Chevy Aveo is GM's best-selling car in Mexico from September 2014 to August 2015, but it totally failed the adult occupant protection tests carried out by the Latin American division of New Car Assessment Program for lack of having a safety device. And although this is the case, the cars are still being marketed thus independent groups took action and approached the GM management.

NCAP Latin America gave the Chevy Aveo zero rating out of five stars because the body framework is precarious, with minimal protection provided for the head and chest of the driver.

This assessment brought to light the remarkable difference on safety standards among cars marketed in three big regions -- Latin America versus Europe and U.S. The vehicles sold in Mexico do not feature standard safety devices that are normally found in European or U.S. models like the airbags or anti-lock brake. These oversights on the part of car manufacturers have already been brought up many times but no action was taken until now.

In 2013, NCAP examined cars manufactured by GM, Suzuki and Renault-Nissan, all exhibited lower score ratings compared to the same models driven in Europe and America. The findings clearly suggested that the companies discriminate as they put more care on the safety of European and American buyers than drivers in developing countries.

Regarding this issue, NCAP's secretary general Alejandro Furas stated on Huffington Post, "Government regulations in Latin America are softer than they are in the U.S. and Europe, and that allows manufacturers to sell cars with lower safety standards. They also want to make as much profit as possible by removing certain features. We've seen less reinforcements in the structure, so less metal material, and no airbags."

Furthermore, automakers were criticized for selling unsafe, sub-standard vehicles in Latin America just to counterbalance dwindling profits. And in an effort to protect Latin drivers from imminent road accidents, NCAP reiterated the need for GM to implement changes.

In a press release, global chairman of NCAP Max Mosley said, "Global NCAP is concerned weak sales and deteriorating profits in traditional markets are encouraging car companies to take unnecessary risks on safety in emerging markets."

"Unregulated emerging markets make it too easy for car companies to produce products that shortchange customers on safety. If CEOs know their products do not meet global safety standards, they should take responsibility and act now. The lives of customers in Latin America are no less valuable than those in Europe, Japan and North America," he concluded.