Interpretation ID: nht79-3.20

DATE: 10/24/79

FROM: AUTHOR UNAVAILABLE; Frank Berndt; NHTSA

TO: Ford Motor Company

TITLE: FMVSR INTERPRETATION

TEXT: This is in reply to Mr. Eckhold's letter of September 28, 1979, to Mr. Vinson of this office asking for our concurrence in Ford's wish to sell 60 1978 model Ford Fiestas on the American market.

According to Mr. Eckhold's letter 56 of the cars did not comply with the Federal motor vehicle safety standards at the time they entered the United States for use by Ford in testing and training programs. Ford represents that all these have now been brought into compliance. The four remaining Fiestas conformed at the time of entry but presumably, because of the execution of the HS-7 importation form, were not certified.

We concur with Ford's opinion that all conforming vehicles may now be sold in the United States. However, since such sales are to first purchasers for purposes other than resale, a certification label must be attached to each that meets the requirements of 49 CFR Part 567.