Federal Register
Thursday, July 10, 1975
Washington, D.C.
Volume 40, Number 133
Pages 29067-29259
Part I

https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-1975-07-10/pdf/FR-1975-07-10.pdf

[Docket No. EX 75-16; Notice 2]

SEBRING-VANGUARD, INC.

Petition for Temporary Exemption From Motor Vehicle Safety Standards

This notice grants the petition of Sebring—Vanguard, Inc. for a temporary exemption of its CitiCar from certain safety standards, on the basis that compliance would cause it substantial economic hardship.

Notice of the petition was published on April 21, 1975, (40 FR 17625) and an opportunity provided for comment. 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, two standards from which it was previously exempted. With reference to Standard 103, Windshield Defrosting and Defogging Systems, Sebring states that a “low voltage electric heater and defrosting system has [not] been developed by industry for use in small lightweight 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 Protection, 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 at vehicles with an overall weight between 2500 and 4000 pounds, and that the side door strength requirements of the standard “are entirely out of proportion with the weight of the electric CitiCar.” Denial of the petition, it states, would force the company to cease operations.

Comments in support of the petition were received from over 45 interested persons, primarily CitiCar owners. No comments opposed the petition. The remarks by the owners indicate their satisfaction with the level of safety provided by the CitiCar in areas where they have been used. Many commented that the vehicle contributes to a lessening of the energy crisis. The Administrator therefore finds that an exemption would be consistent with the public interest and the objectives of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act. Because of the net losses the company has incurred to date and the effect that a denial would have, the Administrator further finds that compliance with the four standards would cause the petitioner substantial economic hardship.

In consideration of the foregoing, Sebring-Vanguard Inc. Is hereby granted NHTSA Exemption No. 75-16 from 49 CFR §571.103, §571.114, §571.206, and §571.214 (Motor Vehicle Safety Standards Nos. 103, 114, 206, and 214 expiring June 1, 1978.

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

Issued on July 3,1975.

James B. Gregory,
Administrator.

[FR Doc.75-17898 Filed 7-9-75;8:45 am]