Interpretation ID: nht71-1.44

DATE: 03/04/71

FROM: D. FERGUSON -- NHTSA MOTOR VEHICLE PROGRAM

TO: EISUKE NIGUMA -- TOYO KOGYO COMPANY LIMITED

TITLE: NONE

ATTACHMT: ATTACHED TO LETTER DATED 9/23/77 (EST) FROM ROBERT L. CARTER -- NHTSA MOTOR VEHICLE PROGRAMS TO ROBERT K. DORNAN -- MEMBER U.S. CONGRESS; LETTER DATED 7/29/77 FROM WILLIAM B. STOVER TO BRIAN YOUNG OF CONGRESSMAN DORNAN'S OFFICE

TEXT: Dear Mr. Niguma:

This is in reply to your letter of January 23, 1971, to Mr. Rodolfo A. Diaz, regarding attachment bolts used to secure seat belt assemblies to a motor vehicle.

The intent of the requirement in paragraph S4.3(c)(l) of Standard 209 is to assure that inadequate attachment bolts will not be used to attach seat belt assemblies to the vehicle. This paragraph does not require that the specific models of vehicles be listed on the label. It provides that if a seat belt assembly is designed for use in specific vehicles in which only one end of a belt assembly can be attached by a single belt, then the bolt need only have a breaking strength of 5,000 pounds.

It should be noted, however, that paragraph S4.1(l) of the Standard requires the(Illlegible Words) assemblies for aftermarket use to furnish an instruction(Illegible Word) stating whether the assembly is for universal installation or for installation only in specifically stated meter vehicles. (Illegible word) as you state, the seat belt assemblies used in MAZDA vehicles are designed exclusively for specific models, such models must be listed on the installation instruction sheet.

Please contact us if we can be of further assistance.

Sincerely,