Federal Register
Monday, April 21, 1975
Washington, D.C.
Volume 40, Number 177
Pages 17537-17742
Part I

https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-1975-04-21/pdf/FR-1975-04-21.pdf

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

[Docket No. EX 75-16; Notice 1]

SEBRING-VANGUARD, INC.

Petition for Temporary Exemption From Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard

Sebring-Vanguard, Inc. of Sebring, Florida, has applied for a temporary exemption from certain Federal motor vehicle safety standards on the basis that compliance would cause substantial economic hardship.

The petitioner has previously applied for and received a 1-year exemption from Standards Nos. 103, 108 (S4.1.1.5 only), 206, and 208 on the basis that it would facilitate the development and field evaluation of a low-emission multi-purpose passenger vehicle (see notices at 38 FR 31556 and 39 FR 3710). On November 12, 1974 Sebring-Vanguard petitioned for a renewal of its exemption but after correspondence with this agency, has resubmitted its request, as a manufacturer of passenger cars, for exemption on a hardship basis. Meanwhile, its original exemption remains in effect pursuant to 5 USC 558(c) until the Administrator has made a final determination on the current petition.

Sebring was incorporated on May 15, 1973, and manufactured 650 electric powered motor vehicles in the 12-month period ending February 10, 1975. In the 18-month period from July 1, 1973, to December 31, 1974, net losses exceeded $425,000. Conformance problems still exist with respect to Standards Nos. 103 and 206. With reference to Standard 103, Windshield Defrosting and Defogging Systems, it states that a “low-voltage electric heater and defrosting system-has [not] been developed by industry for use in small light-weight electric vehicles.” And in relation to Standard 206, on door retention components, it says that because of “the nature of the light-weight, plastic, ABS bodies” it believes that the hinge load requirements cannot be met by vehicles with an unloaded weight of less than 1,000 pounds.

In addition, 3-year exemptions are requested from Standards Nos. 114, Theft Prevention, and 214, Side Door Strength. The petitioner argues that electric vehicles have no starter, the ignition key being used only “to complete a circuit.” Substitution of a conventional steering assembly to provide a key-locking mechanism would “require complete redesign of our dashboard, our front-end, and front frame structure.” It believes that Standard No. 214 is primarily directed to vehicles with an overall weight of between 2,500 to 4,000 pounds and that the side door strength requirements of the standard “are entirely out of proportion with the weight of the electric CityCar.” Denial of the petition, it states, would force the company to cease operations.

This notice of receipt of a petition for a temporary exemption is published in accordance with the NHTSA regulations on this subject (49 CFR 555.7), and does not represent any agency decision or other exercise of judgment concerning the merits of the petition.

Interested persons are invited to submit comments on the proposal. Comments should refer to the docket number and be submitted to: Docket Section, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Room 5108, 400 Seventh Street SW., Washington, D.C. 20590. It is requested but not required that 10 copies be submitted.

All comments received before the close of business on the comment closing date indicated below will be considered, and will be available for examination in the docket at the above address both before and after that date. To the extent possible, comments filed after the closing date will also be considered. However, the rulemaking action may proceed at any time after that date, and comments received after the closing date and too late for consideration in regard to the action will be treated as suggestions for future rulemaking. The NHTSA will continue to file relevant material as it becomes available in the docket after the closing date, and it is recommended that interested persons continue to examine the docket for new material.

Comment closing date: May 21, 1975.

Proposed effective date: Date of issuance of exemption.

(Sec. 3, Pub. L. 92-548, 86 Stat. 1159 (15 U.S.C. 1410), delegations of authority at 49 CFR 1.51 and 49 CFR 501.8.)

Issued on April 15, 1975.

Robert L. Carter,
Associate Administrator,
Motor Vehicle Programs.

[FR Doc.75—10397 Filed 4-18-75;8:45 am]