Interpretation ID: nht71-3.32

DATE: 07/13/71

FROM: L. R. SCHNEIDER -- ACTING CHIEF COUNSEL, NHTSA; SIGNATURE BY DAVID SCHMELTZER

TO: FWD Corporation

TITLE: FMVSR INTERPRETATION

TEXT: This is in reply to your letter of July 1, 1971, concerning the Tire Identification and Record Keeping Regulation (49 CFR 574).

You are correct in your interpretation of the regulation, the vehicle manufacturer is not required to forward tire data to the tire manufacturer. The vehicle manufacturer's responsibilities are limited to maintaining a record of the tires on or in the vehicle when shipped along with a record of the names and addresses of first purchasers of the vehicles equipped with such tires. The method of complying with these requirements is left to the vehicle manufacturer. In the event of a defect notification, the tire manufacturer will be under an obligation to notify the vehicle manufacturer describing the suspect tires.

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