Interpretation ID: aiam3604
Vice President
Corporate Engineering
Zimmer Corporation
P.O. Box 2127
Pompano Beach
FL 33061;
Dear Mr. Zelinski: Thank you for your letter of August 6, 1982, to the Administrato asking whether there is 'any blanket waiver of standards solely based on a small production of vehicles.'; You are correct that no such waiver exists. Even a single automobil manufactured for use on the public roads must meet all applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standards unless exempted by the Administrator under the provisions of Part 555. A manufacturer whose total motor vehicle production in the year preceding filing of his petition does not exceed 10,000 units is eligible to apply for an exemption of up to three years on a hardship basis. Any manufacturer of motor vehicles may apply for an exemption of up to two years on the three remaining bases that you mention but the exemption extends only to a maximum of 2500 vehicles in any 12-month period that the exemption is in effect.; Under the original exemption authority, in effect from 1968 to 1971 exemptions were available on a hardship basis and the threshold of eligibility was 500 units.; Sincerely, Frank Berndt, Chief Counsel