National Highway Traffic Safety Administration August 2009 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This document makes permanent an existing requirement that trailers with antilock brake systems (ABS) be equipped with an external malfunction indicator lamp. The indicator lamp requirement, which is included in the Federal motor vehicle safety standard that governs air- braked vehicles, was originally scheduled to sunset on March 1, 2009, but had previously been extended to September 1, 2009. The agency had established a sunset date for this requirement in light of the increasing numbers of post-2001 tractors which have an in-cab trailer ABS malfunction lamp, making the external trailer lamp redundant. We are making the requirement permanent in light of additional safety purposes served by the external lamp, including: it not only warns the driver of a malfunctioning trailer ABS, but, unlike the in-cab lamps, indicates which trailer in double and trailer applications has a malfunction, and it assists Federal and State roadside inspectors and maintenance personnel in identifying a malfunctioning trailer ABS. This rulemaking was conducted in response to petitions from the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance.

This document announces receipt by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) of a petition for a decision that 2003-2006 Mercedes Benz C-Class (W203 chassis) passenger cars manufactured before September 1, 2006 that were not originally manufactured to comply with all applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standards (FMVSS) are eligible for importation into the United States because (1) they are substantially similar to vehicles that were originally manufactured for sale in the United States and that were certified by their manufacturer as complying with the safety standards (the U.S.-certified version of the 2003-2006 Mercedes Benz C-Class (W203 chassis) passenger cars manufactured before September 1, 2006), and (2) they are capable of being readily altered to conform to the standards.

In accordance with 49 CFR part 555, this notice grants the Beall Corporation's application for a temporary exemption from the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (``FMVSS'') No. 224, ``Rear Impact Protection.'' The exemption applies to the company's dump body trailers. The basis for the grant is that compliance would cause substantial economic hardship to a manufacturer that has tried in good faith to comply with the standard. The exemption is effective for three years.

This document grants in full the petition of Toyota Motor North America, Inc's., (Toyota) petition for an exemption of the Camry vehicle line in accordance with 49 CFR Part 543, Exemption from the Theft Prevention Standard. This petition is granted because the agency has determined that the antitheft device to be placed on the line as standard equipment is likely to be as effective in reducing and deterring motor vehicle theft as compliance with the parts-marking requirements of the Theft Prevention Standard (49 CFR Part 541).

This document amends NHTSA's delegations of authority. The amendment effectuates an adjustment that will enable NHTSA to achieve its mission more effectively and efficiently.

This document grants the Think Technology AS (Think) application for a temporary exemption from certain advanced air bag requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 208, Occupant Crash Protection. The exemption applies to the Think City EV vehicle line. In accordance with 49 CFR Part 555, the basis for the grant is that the exemption would make the development or field evaluation of a low-emission vehicle easier and would not unreasonably lower the safety or impact protection level of that vehicle. The exemption is effective from February 1, 2010 through January 31, 2012.

This final rule amends the regulation implementing the Consumer Assistance to Recycle and Save (CARS) Program, published on July 29, 2009 in the Federal Register, under the CARS Act (Pub. L. 111- 32). The rule clarifies the insurance eligibility requirements for trade-in vehicles under the CARS program. The rule makes substantive changes and a conforming amendment related to the timing for disabling trade-in vehicle engines. The rule also makes a technical amendment to the requirements and procedures for identifying salvage auctions and disposal facilities. Finally, we provide a clarification related to the insurance requirement under the CARS Act.

This notice announces publication by NHTSA of the annual insurer report on motor vehicle theft for the 2003 reporting year. Section 33112(h) of Title 49 of the U.S. Code, requires this information to be compiled periodically and published by the agency in a form that will be helpful to the public, the law enforcement community, and Congress. As required by section 33112(c), this report provides information on theft and recovery of vehicles; rating rules and plans used by motor vehicle insurers to reduce premiums due to a reduction in motor vehicle thefts; and actions taken by insurers to assist in deterring thefts.