Interpretation ID: nht72-4.13

DATE: 02/03/72

FROM: AUTHOR UNAVAILABLE; Richard B. Dyson; NHTSA

TO: Toyota Motor Company, Ltd.

TITLE: FMVSS INTERPRETATION

TEXT: This letter is in response to your inquiry of January 6, 1972, regarding the relationship of Standards No. 208 and No. 216.

You interpret Standard 216, paragraph S3. Application, which states that the Standard does not apply to passenger cars "that conform to the rollover test requirements (S5.3) of Standard 208 by means that require no action by vehicle occupants," as follows:

1. From August 15, 1973, the effective date of Standard 216, to August 15, 1977, passenger cars are not required to meet Standard 216 if they conform to the "first option" of Standard 208.

2. For the period of August 15, 1973, through August 14, 1975, passenger cars which are designed to conform to the "second" or proposed "third" option of Standard 208 are not required to meet Standard 216 if they meet the rollover requirements (S5.3) by passive means (when tested under the applicable conditions of S8), even though in Standard 208 the rollover requirement is specified only for "option 1."

These interpretations are correct. Please write if we can be of further assistance.