Interpretation ID: nht68-4.18

DATE: 09/18/68

FROM: AUTHOR UNAVAILABLE; Eugene B. Laskin; NHTSA

TO: Department of California Highway Patrol PAR=LOCATION

TITLE: FMVSR INTERPRETATION

TEXT: Your letter of August 19, 1968, addressed to Mr. David A. Fay, of the National Highway Safety Bureau has been forwarded to my office for reply.

The original list of definitions of vehicles was published in the Federal Register as part of a Notice of Proposed Rule Making dated December 3, 1966. Comments were requested from interested parties. Subsequently, the definition of a multipurpose vehicle as added to the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards in response to a number of comments received from industry requesting a different category for certain utility vehicles. Under the previous classification, there were a number of special purpose vehicles which did not fit into any single category. It was agreed that certain types of motor vehicles, such as Dune Buggies, the Carryall, Travelall, Compact Van, Jeep Wagoneer, Ford Bronco, and Scout type vehicles comprised a hybid class of motor vehicle which possessed the characteristics of more than one of the motor vehicle categories previously established. The "special features" include such items as 4-wheel drive amphibious equipment. Due to the differences in body construction, load time requirements, and general vehicle purpose, it was not considered reasonable to require those dual purpose vehicles designed to carry ten persons or less to meet all of the passenger car requirements, as would have been required by the Notice. For those reasons, the new category of "multipurpose passenger vehicle" use added to Section 245(b).

Your interest in the automotive safety program of the Federal Highway Administration is greatly appreciated.