Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards; Occupant Crash Protection

In May 2000, we published a rule to require advanced air bags in light vehicles. The requirements of that rule are being phased in during two stages, the first of which extends from September 1, 2003 to August 31, 2006. In September 2002, in response to petitions for rulemaking, we published a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to address two of the issues raised by petitioners. All other issues were denied. In January 2003, we issued a final rule that addressed the first of the remaining issues, namely the new phase-in requirements for vehicle manufacturers other than limited line manufacturers. This final rule addresses the issue of how to treat limited line manufacturers during the course of the first phase-in. We have decided to expand the definition of a limited line manufacturer to a manufacturer that produces no more than three vehicle lines. Additionally, NHTSA has decided to provide limited line manufacturers with an additional year to comply with the new advanced air bag requirements. Since the limited line manufacturer option is based on the premise that the manufacturer may need to use the option because it is unable to meet the phase-in requirement, no credit for early compliance will be allowed towards the 100 percent production requirement for the third year (i.e., the final year for limited line manufacturers) of the phase-in.