Interpretation ID: aiam2274
Assistant Manager
Safety & Environmental Activities
American Honda Motor Co.
Inc.
P.O. Box 50
100 W. Alondra Blvd.
Gardena
CA 90247;
Dear Mr. Gill: This is in response to your letter of March 1, 1976, requesting a interpretation of whether the Honda 'MPV' would be classified as a 'multipurpose passenger vehicle' as that term is defined for purposes of the Federal motor vehicle safety standards.; 'Multipurpose passenger vehicle' is defined in 49 CFR Part 571.3(b) as: >>>'a motor vehicle with motive power, except a trailer, designed t carry 10 persons or less which is constructed either on a truck chassis or with special features for occasional off-road operation.'<<<; Your letter states that the Honda 'MPV' is derived from the Honda T 500 light truck, which we assume means that the 'MPV' is constructed on a truck chassis. Further, your drawings indicate that the 'MPV' is of the forward control configuration. Based upon this understanding of your letter and attached drawings, it appears that the Honda 'MPV' qualifies as a multipurpose passenger vehicle.; Yours truly, Stephen P. Wood, Assistant Chief Counsel