Interpretation ID: 77-2.50

TYPE: INTERPRETATION-NHTSA

DATE: 06/10/77

FROM: AUTHOR UNAVAILABLE; Joseph J. Levin Jr.; NHTSA

TO: Embassy of the Socialist Republic of Romania

TITLE: FMVSR INTERPRETATION

TEXT: This is to acknowledge receipt of your letter of April 5, 1977, requesting that the Office of the Economic Counselor be designated as the agent for Uzina de Anvelope Danubiana, upon whom process may be served in the United States.

Section 551.45 of Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations specifies that the agent be a permanent resident of the United States. It may be an individual, firm, or domestic corporation. The Office of the Economic Counsel, as part of the Embassy, cannot be classified as a permanent resident of the United States. It is not a firm or domestic corporation within the meaning of 49 CFR Part 551.45.

Therefore, we will have to request that Uzina de Anvelope Danubiana designate another individual as its agent, pursuant to section 110(e) of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act (15 U.S.C. 1399(e)).