Renault Master 15-Seater Cruises... Gaining Popularity as a School Shuttle and More

Application of 3-Point Seat Belts... Focus on Passenger Protection

[Asia Economy Reporter Yu Je-hoon] The Renault Master 15-seat minibus model continues to gain popularity as a school transportation vehicle in South Korea. The unique "safety" of the Renault Master 15-seat bus is considered the key reason behind this trend.

According to industry sources on the 17th, the Renault Master 15-seat bus model has been smoothly gaining popularity as a children's school transport vehicle since its launch in the domestic market. The Renault Master is a steady-selling model that has been popular in Europe for over 40 years, with approximately 113,000 units sold last year across 50 countries worldwide. It is used for various purposes including buses, vans, and special vehicles, and was also selected as "Van of the Year" in 1998 and 2004.

The main reason for the popularity of the Renault Master 15-seat bus in South Korea is safety. While many domestic minibus models apply 2-point seat belts, the Renault Master bus is equipped with 3-point seat belts on all seats. The 2-point seat belt can allow the upper body to be thrown forward upon impact during an accident, whereas the 3-point seat belt crosses the upper body to prevent secondary injuries, serving as a crucial safety device.

Currently, there is no law in South Korea mandating the installation of 3-point seat belts in minibuses such as school transport vehicles. However, as school vehicle accidents have become frequent recently and cases leading to major accidents have increased, there are growing calls to make this mandatory.

Consumers purchasing the Renault Master 15-seat bus recently have also given high evaluations to this unique safety feature. Jang Geun-gi, director of the Shin Tae-yong Soccer School, explained, "Parents recognize the vehicle as safe just by looking at it. Not only does it have 3-point seat belts, but the seats are spacious, so children feel safe and comfortable. Satisfaction is high."

The vehicle is also equipped with a range of safety and convenience features. Representative features include rear parking sensors and cameras, auto headlights and wipers, SKT T-map navigation, lane departure warning system, and auto start and stop function. Additionally, the Renault Master 15-seat bus is equipped with "Extended Grip Control," which controls driving force according to road conditions. Other features preferred in passenger vehicles, such as hill-start assist, are also standard.

A Renault Samsung Motors official stated, "The Renault Master is a game-changing model that has changed the safety standards for minibuses," adding, "Customer feedback from those who have experienced it firsthand is very positive."