New Car Assessment Program (NCAP); Safety Labeling, 45172-45176 [E7-15743]

Agencies

• National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
• DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 155 (Monday, August 13, 2007)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 45172-45176]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-15743]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

49 CFR Part 575

[Docket No. NHTSA-2006-25772]


New Car Assessment Program (NCAP); Safety Labeling

AGENCY: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 
Department of Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Final rule; technical amendments; response to petitions for 
reconsideration.

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SUMMARY: A provision of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient 
Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users requires new passenger 
vehicles to be labeled with safety rating information published by the 
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration under its New Car 
Assessment Program. NHTSA was required to issue regulations to ensure 
that the labeling requirements ``are implemented by September 1, 
2007.'' In September 2006, we published a final rule to fulfill that 
mandate. We received petitions for reconsideration of the final rule. 
Today's document responds to those petitions and makes technical 
amendments clarifying certain details of the presentation of the 
information on the labels.

DATES: Effective Date: This final rule is effective October 12, 2007.
    Compliance Date: This final rule applies to covered vehicles 
manufactured on or after September 1, 2007. Optional early compliance 
by vehicle manufacturers is permitted before that date.
    Petitions for reconsideration: Petitions for reconsideration of 
this final rule must be received not later than September 27, 2007.

ADDRESSES: Petitions for reconsideration of the final rule must refer 
to the docket number set forth above and be submitted to: 
Administrator, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590. In addition, a copy of the 
petition should be submitted to: Docket Management, Room W12-140, 1200 
New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For technical issues regarding the 
information in this document, please contact Mr. Nathaniel Beuse at 
(202) 366-1740. For legal issues, please contact Ms. Dorothy Nakama 
(202) 366-2992. Both of these individuals may be reached by mail at the 
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, 
SE., Washington, DC 20590.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Table of Contents

I. Overview of SAFETEA-LU Labeling Provisions and September 2006 
Final Rule
II. Petitions for Reconsideration and NHTSA's Response
    A. Definition of ``Automobile''
    B. Requirements for Altered Vehicles
III. Technical Adjustments to the Regulatory Text Related to the 
Labels
    A. Large Safety Label Shown in Figure 1
    B. Small Safety Label Shown in Figure 2
IV. Rulemaking Notices and Analyses
Regulatory Text

I. Overview of SAFETEA-LU Labeling Provisions and September 2006 Final 
Rule

    Section 10307 of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient 
Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) \1\ requires 
that each new passenger automobile that has been rated under the 
NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) must have those ratings 
displayed on a label on its new vehicle price sticker, known as the 
Monroney label.\2\ SAFETEA-LU specifies detailed requirements for the 
label, including its content, size, location, and applicability, 
leaving the agency only limited discretion regarding the label.\3\ It 
also required NHTSA (by delegation of authority from the Department of 
Transportation) to issue regulations to ensure that the new labeling 
requirements are implemented by September 1, 2007.
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    \1\ P.L. 109-59 (August 10, 2005); 119 Stat. 1144.
    \2\ The Monroney label is required by the Automobile Information 
Disclosure Act (AIDA) Title 15, United States Code, Chapter 28, 
Sections 1231-1233. SAFETEA-LU amended AIDA to require that NCAP 
ratings be placed on each vehicle required to have a Monroney label.
    \3\ ``(g) if one or more safety ratings for such automobile have 
been assigned and formally published or released by the National 
Highway Traffic Safety Administration under the New Car Assessment 
Program, information about safety ratings that--
    ``(1) includes a graphic depiction of the number of stars, or 
other applicable rating, that corresponds to each such assigned 
safety rating displayed in a clearly differentiated fashion 
indicating the maximum possible safety rating;
    ``(2) refers to frontal impact crash tests, side impact crash 
tests, and rollover resistance tests (whether or not such automobile 
has been assigned a safety rating for such tests);
    ``(3) contains information describing the nature and meaning of 
the crash test data presented and a reference to additional vehicle 
safety resources, including https://www.safecar.gov; and
    ``(4) is presented in a legible, visible, and prominent fashion 
and covers at least--
    ``(A) 8 percent of the total area of the label; or
    ``(B) an area with a minimum length of 4\1/2\ inches and a 
minimum height of 3\1/2\ inches; and
    ``(h) if an automobile has not been tested by the National 
Highway Traffic Safety Administration under the New Car Assessment 
Program, or safety ratings for such automobile have not been 
assigned in one or more rating categories, a statement to that 
effect.''.
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    As required by SAFETEA-LU, on September 12, 2006 (71 FR 53572) (DOT 
Docket No. NHTSA-2006-25772) we published a final rule that provides 
that:
    (1) New passenger automobiles manufactured on or after September 1, 
2007 must display specified NCAP information on a safety rating label 
that is part of their Monroney label;
    (2) The specified information must include a graphical depiction of 
the number of stars achieved by a vehicle for each safety test;
    (3) Information describing the nature and meaning of the test data, 
and references to www.safercar.gov and NHTSA's toll-free hotline number 
for additional vehicle safety information, must be placed on the label;
    (4) The label must be legible with a minimum length of 4\1/2\ 
inches and a minimum width of 3\1/2\ inches or 8 percent of the 
Monroney label, whichever is larger;
    (5) Ratings must be placed on new vehicles manufactured 30 or more 
days after the manufacturer receives notification from NHTSA of NCAP 
ratings for those vehicles.
    In its discretion, the agency decided to require that the label 
indicate the existence of safety concerns identified during NCAP 
testing, but not reflected in the resulting NCAP ratings. We required 
that the agency's toll-free hotline number appear on the label and 
adopted specifications for such matters as the wording, arrangement of 
some of the messages and the size of the font.

II. Petitions for Reconsideration and NHTSA's Response

    In response to the September 12, 2006 final rule, we received a 
petition for reconsideration from the Recreation Vehicle Industry 
Association (RVIA), asking us to reconsider the inclusion of 
``recreational vehicle'' in the definition of ``automobile.'' A joint 
petition signed by the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA), 
the National Truck Equipment Association (NTEA) and the National 
Mobility Equipment Dealers Association (NMEDA) asked us to reconsider 
the requirement of an additional label for automobiles that are altered 
before first sale to the customer.

[[Page 45173]]

The issues raised in the petitions and NHTSA's response are provided 
below.

A. Definition of ``Automobiles''

    Per SAFETEA-LU, this final rule applies to all vehicles required to 
have Monroney labels. Those labels are required on new ``automobiles'' 
by the Automobile Information Disclosure Act (AIDA) and derive their 
name from the primary author of AIDA, former Senator Mike Monroney. The 
Department of Justice (DOJ), which generally administers AIDA, 
interprets the term ``automobiles,'' by definition, to include 
passenger vehicles and station wagons, and, by extension, passenger 
vans. For purposes of the final rule, we decided to express the 
applicability section of the regulation by reference to AIDA and 
language based on the DOJ guidance, rather than referring to terms as 
used in Sec.  571.3 for safety standards. Specifically, the regulatory 
text states that the section applies to ``automobiles with a GVWR of 
10,000 pounds or less, manufactured on or after September 1, 2007, that 
are required by the Automobile Information Disclosure Act, 15 U.S.C. 
1231-1233, to have price sticker labels (Monroney labels), e.g., 
passenger vehicles, station wagons, passenger vans, sport utility 
vehicles, and recreational vehicles.''
    We explained that this approach was adopted because Congress made 
the applicability of the NCAP labeling requirement depend on whether a 
vehicle is an ``automobile'' required to have a Monroney label under 
AIDA. The DOJ, rather than NHTSA, administers and issues authoritative 
interpretations of that part of AIDA. Thus, while we want our 
regulation to be as clear as possible, we recognize that it is DOJ, 
rather than NHTSA, that would make any necessary interpretations under 
AIDA as to the meaning of ``automobile.''
    In response to the final rule, the Recreation Vehicle Industry 
Association (RVIA) petitioned for the removal of the term 
``recreational vehicles'' from the definition of ``automobile.'' RVIA 
included with its petition a letter dated October 30, 2006 to Ms. 
Dianne Farrell, RVIA's Vice President of Government Affairs from, Mr. 
Eugene M. Thirolf, Director, Office of Consumer Litigation, DOJ. In 
that letter, Mr. Thirolf explained that language on the Office of 
Consumer Litigation's Web page had referred to ``recreational 
vehicles'' as being encompassed within the definition of 
``automobile.'' That phrase was incorporated from printed material that 
pre-dated the Web page by many years. Mr. Thirolf noted that the phrase 
``recreational vehicle'' can have a variety of meanings. He stated that 
in recent years, the term ``Sport Utility Vehicle'' has become 
commonplace, and has displaced ``recreational vehicle'' as the term 
used to refer to certain vehicles that are now called Sport Utility 
Vehicles or ``SUVs.'' Mr. Thirolf noted that the Office of Consumer 
Litigation's Web page has been rewritten to include the term ``Sport 
Utility Vehicles'' and remove ``recreational vehicle.''
    Since NHTSA has already stated that it will conform its definition 
of ``automobile'' to that provided by DOJ, and DOJ has removed the term 
``recreational vehicle'' from the definition of ``automobile'' and 
added the term ``sport utility vehicle'' on the DOJ Web page, in this 
final rule, NHTSA will make conforming changes in the definition of 
``automobile'' at Sec.  575.301(b).
    RVIA also asked for NHTSA to publish ``a statement that declares 
invalid any mention of `recreational vehicles' which previously 
appeared in its Final Rule.'' We decline to make such a statement. Our 
references to ``recreational vehicles'' were made in the context of 
DOJ's use of the term. The October 2006 letter from Mr. Thirolf of DOJ 
provides clarification of how DOJ used the term, and its subsequent 
decision to remove that term from its Web site and add the term ``sport 
utility vehicle.'' In today's final rule, we have provided RVIA with 
the relief it sought, consistent with DOJ's October 30, 2006 letter.

B. Requirements for Altered Vehicles

    In the September 12, 2006 final rule, we noted that the National 
Mobility Equipment Dealers Association (NMEDA) asked that ``the 
proposed labeling requirements not apply to * * * altered vehicles, 
including those that have been altered in such a manner as to render 
void any previous NCAP results.'' NMEDA is an association ``dedicated 
to providing safe and quality adaptive transportation and mobility for 
consumers with disabilities.'' To accommodate special needs drivers, 
NMEDA members (and others) may make vehicle alterations that require 
affixing an alterer's label to the vehicle pursuant to 49 CFR 567.7, 
``Requirements for persons who alter certified vehicles.''
    In the September 12, 2006 final rule, NHTSA agreed that in such 
cases, the continuing applicability of ratings on the safety rating 
label may be at issue. We therefore decided that if an alterer places a 
Sec.  567.7 alterer's label on a vehicle with a safety rating label, 
the alterer must place another label (adjacent to the Monroney label) 
stating: ``This vehicle has been altered. The stated star ratings on 
the safety rating label may no longer be applicable.'' The new 
requirements are specified at Sec.  575.301(g) Labels for alterers.
    In a joint petition for reconsideration, NMEDA, NADA and the NTEA 
asked that we remove Sec.  575.301(g). The joint petitioners' position 
appeared to be that often, the alterations made to a vehicle are 
relatively minor (e.g., star ratings for side impact would not be 
affected if the alteration involves changes to the rear lighting), and 
the Sec.  575.301(g) label may give the impression to some customers 
that the alterations are likely to result in the vehicle's receiving a 
lesser safety rating.
    We note that Sec.  567.6 makes it clear that minor finishing 
operations or the addition or removal of rims and tires, mirrors, or 
other readily attachable components would not necessitate the placement 
of an alterer's label. The intent of the label specified by Sec.  
575.301(g) is to inform potential purchasers of altered vehicles that 
if the vehicle has been altered in such a way as to require an 
alterer's label, the NCAP safety ratings may no longer be applicable.
    We are concerned that without the Sec.  575.301(g) label, consumers 
would assume that altered vehicles would continue to have the same 
performance as the model tested by NHTSA in the NCAP safety assessment 
tests. However, some alterations may affect the NCAP safety ratings 
and, in such situations, the NCAP ratings could be misleading. The 
statement that the stated star ratings ``may no longer be applicable'' 
is neutral, i.e., it does not imply a likelihood of the vehicle having 
a lower rating.
    The joint petitioners stated that NHTSA should not add this 
requirement that could further obstruct the driver's vision during test 
drives. In response, although we appreciate the field of obstruction 
concern, we did not specify a size or font requirement for the Sec.  
575.301(g) label in order to minimize any additional obstruction of 
vehicle glazing. The requirement is only that the label be placed 
adjacent to the Monroney label; we purposefully did not specify where 
that would be. Therefore, alterers can place the Sec.  575.301(g) label 
adjacent to, or as close as possible to, the Monroney label but in an 
area such as the bottom of the window that would not obstruct the 
vision of a driver taking the vehicle out on a test drive.
    The joint petitioners also stated that the Sec.  575.301(g) 
requirements are redundant, as consumers are already aware of the 
alterations or request the

[[Page 45174]]

alterations prior to purchasing the vehicle. NHTSA notes that while 
this may be true in some cases, we have no data to support this 
statement, and none was provided by the joint petitioners. Moreover, 
even if they are aware of alterations, consumers may believe the star 
ratings are still valid, even in situations when this may not be the 
case. We note that while alterers must certify that the vehicle 
continues to meet safety standards, they are not required to ensure 
that alterations do not affect NCAP ratings.
    The joint petitioners stated that the Monroney label as required by 
the AIDA is only for vehicles as manufactured, but not neccessarily as 
sold at dealerships. NHTSA does not agree. In the NPRM, NHTSA proposed 
to state at Sec.  575.301(a) Purpose and Scope in part that, ``* * * 
the additional Monroney label information is intended to provide 
consumers with relevant information at the point of sale.'' (Emphasis 
added.) No commenter (including any of the joint petitioners) objected 
to, or otherwise commented on the quoted language. Thus, the quoted 
language was made final in the final rule.
    On the issue of AIDA requirements, NHTSA consulted with the 
Department of Justice's (DOJ) Office of Consumer Litigation, the 
authority on the meaning of AIDA. On December 4, 2006, DOJ staff 
confirmed with NHTSA staff that they would not try to make a 
distinction between vehicles as manufactured and as sold at 
dealerships, as it was, in the view of the DOJ staff, contrary to the 
AIDA.
    The joint petitioners further stated that the AIDA never imposed on 
dealers or others who alter vehicles prior to first sale, any 
additional labeling burden. However, with the enactment of SAFETEA-LU, 
we believe the additional labeling is needed to ensure that consumers 
who consider purchasing or who purchase altered vehicles are aware that 
first, alterations have been made and second, that the alterations may 
have made the star ratings no longer applicable. We note that because 
it would be far more burdensome for alterers to determine and explain 
how alterations may affect the star ratings, we decided on the standard 
language specified in Sec.  575.301(g) simply indicating that the 
ratings may no longer be applicable.
    The joint petitioners stated that neither the legislative history 
nor Section 10307 of SAFETEA-LU addresses vehicle alteration or vehicle 
alterers. They also argued the Sec.  575.301(g) requirement was not a 
logical outgrowth of the notice of proposed rulemaking and violates the 
Administrative Procedure Act and NHTSA's own rulemaking process.
    In response, NHTSA notes that the rulemaking at issue was necessary 
to ``aid potential purchasers in the selection of new passenger motor 
vehicles by providing them with safety rating information. * * * 
Manufacturers of passenger motor vehicles described in paragraph (b) of 
this section are required to include this information on the Monroney 
label.'' (see Sec.  575.301(a).) 49 CFR part 567 includes alterers 
within the definition of manufacturer (See Sec.  567.2(a)). Since Sec.  
575.301 applies to manufacturers, it applies to alterers. The final 
rule's clarification of requirements for all manufacturers, including 
alterers, is not outside the scope of the rule.
    Furthermore, the addition of Sec.  575.301(g) to the final rule is 
a logical outgrowth of the proposal. We note Sec.  575.301(g) was added 
to the final rule in response to NMEDA's comments on the January 30, 
2006 NPRM. We believe it was necessary and appropriate to address the 
issue of how requirements apply to alterers, and to ensure that the 
NCAP ratings on the label do not provide misleading information to 
consumers.
    In commenting on the NPRM, NMEDA asked that ``the proposed labeling 
requirements not apply to vehicles built in two or more stages or to 
altered vehicles including those that have been altered in such a 
manner as to render void any previous NCAP results.'' NMEDA did not 
specify how its request should be carried out. In the final rule, we 
responded to NMEDA's comment by not making the safety ratings 
necessarily apply to altered vehicles, by specifying adding the label 
(stating in part) ``The stated star ratings on the safety rating label 
may no longer be applicable.'' In the final rule, NHTSA determined that 
the addition of the label with the stated quotation was the best way to 
respond to NMEDA's comment. It was a logical outgrowth of the proposal, 
which responded to NMEDA's comment, clarified final rule requirements 
for all manufacturers, including alterers, and continued to make the 
Sec. Sec.  575.301(d) and (e) requirements applicable to manufacturers 
that are not alterers.
    The joint petitioners also stated that neither the Sec.  575.301(g) 
mandate nor the potential regulatory burden was taken into 
consideration by NHTSA in its E.O. 12866, Regulatory Flexibility Act, 
or Paperwork Reduction Act analyses. The joint petitioners stated that 
assuming 10 percent of the vehicle fleet would require the Sec.  
575.301(g) label at a cost of $1.00 per label results in a $1,500,000 
cost burden. In response, NHTSA notes that the joint petitioners 
provided no bases for their assumptions regarding costs. We do not 
agree with these estimates. Based on a previous agency study that 
examined labeling costs,\4\ we expect that the cost of a label would be 
$0.09 to $0.16 per vehicle (in 2006 dollars). Even with the 10 percent 
alteration rate, as assumed by the joint petitioners, the expected 
total cost burden would be far less than what the petitioners claimed. 
We believe that the cost burden would not have a significant economic 
impact on alterers.
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    \4\ See Preliminary Regulatory Evaluation, FMVSS No. 208, 
Actions to Reduce the Adverse Effects of Air Bags, July 1996.
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    The Paperwork Reduction Act consequences of the label specified at 
Sec.  575.301(g) were discussed in the final rule of September 12, 2006 
at page 53585.
    The joint petitioners also suggested that in lieu of the Sec.  
575.301(g) label, NHTSA consider amending the ``safety label''\5\ with 
the disclaimer: ``Crash test results reflect the actual vehicle tested 
and are designed for general model comparison purposes only. The actual 
vehicle you buy may not achieve the exact same results in a similar 
test.''
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    \5\ NHTSA assumes the joint petitioners meant the safety rating 
label specified at Sections 575.301(d) and (e).
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    We decline to make this change. The petitioners did not provide any 
basis for including such a disclaimer on all vehicles. The Sec.  
575.301(g) label is narrowly tailored to inform potential purchasers of 
the very small number of vehicles that have been altered in such a way 
as to require an alterer's label that the NCAP safety ratings may no 
longer be applicable. It would be inappropriate to address this concern 
by adding a disclaimer to all vehicles.
    The petitioners also suggested that NHTSA provide clarification 
with respect to when a first sale occurs in various situations, to 
enable the regulated community to be able to distinguish alterations 
from modifications. We note that this is a general issue and not one 
specifically related to this rulemaking. If petitioners have specific 
questions in this area, they may send them to NHTSA's Chief Counsel.

III. Technical Amendments to Regulatory Text Describing the Labels

    In this final rule, we also make the following technical amendments 
to descriptions of the labels, to ensure consistency among the 
preamble, the regulatory text, and Figures 1 and 2 provided in the 
final rule. No changes are made to either Figure 1 or Figure 2 as a 
result of this final rule.

[[Page 45175]]

A. Large Safety Label Shown in Figure 1

    1. We note that the height of the safety concern is not specified. 
In this final rule, NHTSA specifies superscript for both the safety 
concern symbol next to the star rating to which it applies and in the 
explanation section of the label. This is how the graphic is displayed 
in the sample label and how it is now specified at Section 
301(e)(10)(ii) of the regulatory text.
    2. We note the following inconsistencies between the sample label 
(Figure 1 to Sec.  575.301) and the regulatory text:
    (a) The regulatory text describing how the ``Driver''/``Passenger'' 
and ``Front Seat/Rear Seat'' should be positioned on the label is 
incorrect. As currently stated, the text would run into the stars on 
the label graphic. Therefore, we are revising the regulation to require 
the text to be left justified and horizontally centered, and to be 
vertically aligned at the top and middle of the label, respectively, 
for front and side crash ratings. Similarly, the star ratings are to be 
left justified, but aligned to the right of the label. In addition, the 
regulatory text for ``Front Seat'' and ``Rear Seat'' will not include a 
capitalized ``S'', consistent with the label depicted in Figure 1. In 
this final rule, Sec.  575.301, paragraphs (e)(4)(iii), (e)(4)(v), and 
(e)(5)(iii), and (e)(5)(v) will be revised to read as follows:
    Section 575.301(e)(4)(iii)--The word ``Driver'' must be on the same 
line as the word ``Frontal'' in ``Frontal Crash'', and be left 
justified, horizontally centered and vertically aligned at the top of 
the label. The achieved star rating for ``Driver'' must be on the same 
line, left justified, and be aligned to the right side of the label.
    Section 575.301(e)(4)(v)--The word ``Passenger'' must be on the 
same line as the word ``Crash'' in ``Frontal Crash'' , below the word 
``Driver'', and be left justified, horizontally centered and be 
vertically aligned at the top of the label. The achieved star rating 
for ``Passenger'' must be on the same line, left justified, and be 
aligned to the right side of the label.
    Section 575.301(e)(5)(iii)--The words ``Front seat'' must be on the 
same line as the word ``Side'' in ``Side Crash'' and be left justified, 
horizontally centered and be vertically aligned in the middle of the 
label. The achieved star rating for ``Front seat'' must be on the same 
line, left justified, and be aligned to the right side of the label.
    Section 575.301(e)(5)(v)--The words ``Rear seat'' must be on the 
same line as the word ``Crash'' in ``Side Crash'', below the word 
``Front seat'' and be left justified, horizontally centered and be 
vertically aligned in the middle of the label. The achieved star rating 
for ``Rear seat'' must be on the same line, left justified, and be 
aligned to the right side of the label.
    (b) There are no line justifications for ``Not Rated'' or 
alternatively, ``To Be Rated'' in sections (e)(4)(iv), (e)(4)(vi), 
(e)(5)(iv), (e)(5)(vi), and (e)(6)(iii). In this final rule, we will 
specify that both ``Not Rated'' and ``To Be Rated'', and the to-be-
determined star ratings be left justified and be aligned horizontally 
and vertically on the label. Therefore, these paragraphs read as 
follows:
    Section 575.301(e)(4)(iv)--If NHTSA has not released the star 
rating for the ``Driver'' position, the text ``Not Rated'' must be used 
in boldface. However, as an alternative, the words ``To Be Rated'' (in 
boldface) may be used if the manufacturer has received written 
notification from NHTSA that the vehicle has been chosen for NCAP 
testing. Both texts must be on the same line as the text ``Driver'', be 
left justified, and be aligned to the right side of the label.
    Section 575.301(e)(4)(vi)--If NHTSA has not released the star 
rating for ``Passenger'', the words ``Not Rated'' must be used in 
boldface. However, as an alternative, the words ``To Be Rated'' (in 
boldface) may be used if the manufacturer has received written 
notification from NHTSA that the vehicle has been chosen for NCAP 
testing. Both texts must be on the same line as the text ``Passenger'', 
be left justified, and be aligned to the right side of the label.
    Section 575.301(e)(5)(iv)--If NHTSA has not released the star 
rating for ``Front seat'', the words ``Not Rated'' must be used in 
boldface. However, as an alternative, the words ``To Be Rated'' (in 
boldface) may be used if the manufacturer has received written 
notification from NHTSA that the vehicle has been chosen for NCAP 
testing. Both texts must be on the same line as the text ``Front 
seat'', be left justified, and be aligned to the right side of the 
label.
    Section 575.301(e)(5)(vi)--If NHTSA has not released the star 
rating for ``Rear seat'', the text ``Not Rated'' must be used in 
boldface. However, as an alternative, the text ``To Be Rated'' (in 
boldface) may be used if the manufacturer has received written 
notification from NHTSA that the vehicle has been chosen for NCAP 
testing. Both texts must be on the same line as the text ``Rear seat'', 
be left justified, and be aligned to the right side of the label.
    Section 575.301(e)(6)(iii)--If NHTSA has not tested the vehicle, 
the words ``Not Rated'' must be used in boldface. However, as an 
alternative, the words ``To Be Rated'' (in boldface) may be used if the 
manufacturer has received written notification from NHTSA that the 
vehicle has been chosen for NCAP testing. Both texts must be on the 
same line as the text ``Rollover'', be left justified, and be aligned 
to the right side of the label.
    Finally, in Sec.  575.301(3)(8)(B), the regulatory text will 
include a period at the end of the phrase to read: ``Source: National 
Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).''

B. Small Safety Label Shown in Figure 2

    The following changes are made in this final rule to make the 
regulatory text consistent with the Small Safety Label shown in Figure 
2:
    (a) Since the border for the small safety label is not specified in 
the regulatory text, we will add at the end of Sec.  575.301(f)(2), 
``and must be surrounded by a solid dark line that is a minimum of 3 
points in width.''
    (b) The justification for the text is not specified and the font 
size is incorrect. Therefore, the text of Sec.  575.301(f)(4) is 
amended to read:
    Section 575.301(f)(4) General Information. The general information 
area must be below the header area. The text must be dark and the 
background must be light. The text must state the following, in at 
least 12-point font, be left justified, and be aligned to the left side 
of the label, in the specified order:
    (c) In Sec.  575.301(f)(3) and (f)(5), 14-point, not 12-point font 
should be specified for the header and footer areas to make the smaller 
label header and footer areas identical to that of the larger label.

IV. Rulemaking Analyses and Notices

    The final rule of September 12, 2006 included discussion of 
Executive Order 12866 and DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures, the 
Regulatory Flexibility Act, Paperwork Reduction Act, National 
Environmental Policy Act, Executive Order 13132 (Federalism), Civil 
Justice Reform Act, the National Technology Transfer and Advancement 
Act, and the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act. Today's final rule consists 
only of technical amendments. Thus, the rulemaking analyses and notices 
discussion provided for the September 2006 is not affected by today's 
final rule.

[[Page 45176]]

List of Subjects in 49 CFR Part 575

    Consumer protection, Motor vehicle safety, Reporting and 
recordkeeping requirements, Tires.

0
In consideration of the foregoing, 49 CFR part 575 is amended to read 
as follows:

PART 575--CONSUMER INFORMATION

0
1. The authority citation for part 575 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 32302, 30111, 30115, 30117, 30166, and 
30168, Pub. L. 104-414, 114 Stat. 1800, Pub. L. 109-59, 119 Stat. 
1144, 15 U.S.C. l232(g); delegation of authority at 49 CFR 1.50.


0
2. Section 575.301 is amended by:
0
a. Revising paragraph (b);
0
b. Revising paragraph (e)(4)(iii);
0
c. Adding in paragraph (e)(4)(iv) a third sentence;
0
d. Revising paragraph (e)(4)(v);
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e. Adding in paragraph (e)(4)(vi) a third sentence;
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f. Revising paragraph (e)(5)(iii);
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g. Adding in paragraph (e)(5)(iv) a third sentence;
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h. Revising paragraph (e)(5)(v);
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i. Adding in paragraph (e)(5)(vi) a third sentence;
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j. Adding in paragraph (e)(6)(iii) a third sentence;
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k. Revising paragraph (e)(10)(ii);
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l. Revising paragraph (f)(2);
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m. Revising paragraph (f)(3);
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n. Revising in paragraph (f)(4) the third sentence; and
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o. Revising in paragraph (f)(5) the first sentence, to read as follows:


Sec.  575.301 Vehicle  Labeling of Safety Rating Information.

* * * * *
    (b) Application. This section applies to automobiles with a GVWR of 
10,000 pounds or less, manufactured on or after September 1, 2007, that 
are required by the Automobile Information Disclosure Act, 15 U.S.C. 
1231-1233, to have price sticker labels (Monroney labels), e.g., 
passenger vehicles, station wagons, passenger vans, and sport utility 
vehicles.
* * * * *
    (e) * * *
    (4) * * *
    (iii) The word ``Driver'' must be on the same line as the word 
``Frontal'' in ``Frontal Crash,'' and be left justified, horizontally 
centered and vertically aligned at the top of the label. The achieved 
star rating for ``Driver'' must be on the same line, left justified, 
and aligned to the right side of the label.
    (iv) * * * Both texts must be on the same line as the text 
``Driver'', left justified, and aligned to the right side of the label.
    (v) The word ``Passenger'' must be on the same line as the word 
``Crash'' in ``Frontal Crash,'' below the word ``Driver,'' and be left 
justified, horizontally centered and vertically aligned at the top of 
the label. The achieved star rating for ``Passenger'' must be on the 
same line, left justified, and aligned to the right side of the label.
    (vi) * * * Both texts must be on the same line as the text 
``Passenger'', left justified, and aligned to the right side of the 
label.
* * * * *
    (5) * * *
    (iii) The words ``Front seat'' must be on the same line as the word 
``Side'' in ``Side Crash'' and be left justified, horizontally centered 
and vertically aligned in the middle of the label. The achieved star 
rating for ``Front seat'' must be on the same line, left justified, and 
aligned to the right side of the label.
    (iv) * * * Both texts must be on the same line as the text ``Front 
seat'', left justified, and aligned to the right side of the label.
    (v) The words ``Rear seat'' must be on the same line as the word 
``Crash'' in ``Side Crash,'' below the word ``Front seat,'' and be left 
justified, horizontally centered and vertically aligned in the middle 
of the label. The achieved star rating for ``Rear seat'' must be on the 
same line, left justified, and aligned to the right side of the label.
    (vi) * * * Both texts must be on the same line as the text ``Rear 
seat'', left justified, and aligned to the right side of the label.
* * * * *
    (6) * * *
    (iii) * * * Both texts must be on the same line as the text 
``Rollover'', left justified, and aligned to the right side of the 
label.
* * * * *
    (10) * * *
    (ii) Include at the bottom of the relevant area (i.e., frontal 
crash area, side crash area, rollover area), as the last line of that 
area, the related symbol, as depicted in Figure 4 of this section, as a 
superscript of the rest of the line, and the text ``Safety Concern: 
Visit www.safercar.gov or call 1-888-327-4236 for more details.''
* * * * *
    (f) * * *
    (2) The label must be at least 4\1/2\ inches in width and 1\1/2\ 
inches in height, and must be surrounded by a solid dark line that is a 
minimum of 3 points in width.
    (3) Heading Area. The text must read ``Government Safety Ratings'' 
and be in 14-point boldface, capital letters that are light in color, 
and be centered. The background must be dark.
    (4) General Information. * * * The text must state the following, 
in at least 12-point font, be left-justified, and aligned to the left 
side of the label, in the specified order:
* * * * *
    (5) Footer Area. The text ``www.safercar.gov or 1-888-327-4236'' 
must be provided in 14-point boldface letters that are light in color, 
and be centered. * * *
* * * * *

    Issued on: August 7, 2007.
Nicole R. Nason,
Administrator.
 [FR Doc. E7-15743 Filed 8-10-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-59-P