Interpretation ID: 86-3.44

TYPE: INTERPRETATION-NHTSA

DATE: 06/10/86

FROM: AUTHOR UNAVAILABLE; Erika Z. Jones; NHTSA

TO: Roland L. Lafleur

TITLE: FMVSS INTERPRETATION

TEXT:

This is in reply to your letter of May 5, 1986, to our former Chief Counsel, Jeffrey Miller, asking about comparative costs of a center high-mounted stop lamp. You read that the cost of such a lamp was $4 to $7, but in fact it cost you $136.18, tax included, to have one installed on your 1984 Cadillac.

The figures of $4 to $7 represent the agency's conclusions as to the cost to a vehicle manufacturer to install the new lamp as standard equipment when its installation became mandatory for new vehicles. As the new requirement does not extend to aftermarket equipment such as the lamp you bought for your 1984 Cadillac, the agency's cost estimates should not be read as applying to it. Also, our estimate was for the "average" vehicle. Costs will vary by manufacturer and by carline within a given manufacturers' fleet according to the particular design and placement chosen. In spite of your dissatisfaction over the cost you have nevertheless wisely equipped your car with a safety device which should lessen the likelihood of expensive rear end collisions and the injuries to passengers that can occur. We appreciate your interest in the lamp.

Sincerely,

Erika Z. Jones Chief Counsel

OPELOUSAS, LA 5/5/86

DEAR MR. JEFFREY MILLER

I am retired & 71 years old, having time on my hands I read A lots. I am A auto (MUSTANG) NUT. 65 & 70 MUSTANG convertibles, I also bought A CADILLAC FLEETWOOD August 1984. I subscribe to 5 auto magazine one of which is HOME MECHANIX. In the JUNE 1986 issue I read on page 78 an article safety & (NHTSA) about NEW CENTER HIGH-MOUNTED STOPLIGHT, The article states that the light cost about $4 to $7 per car. The light was installed before I read the article, & it looks as if factory installed. I agreed the light is very good, but the price you stated like FANTICY-LAND. I took my CADILLAC to the CADILLAC dealer where it was bought. I now have the light you mention in Home Mechanix. The light & wires cost me $55.19 The labor listed by CADILLAC MOTOR CO, was 2.7 HRS. to install, Labor in Lafayette, LA. at CADILLAC is $32.00, so get you adding machine & figure the total cost. Also we in LOUISIANA have A 6% TAX. this amount is quite different from your estimate of $4 to $7. I know that the factory can install much cheaper. But $136.18 is unreasonable higher than $4 or $7.

When I read an article in a magazine I take it for granted that I am reading true articles. Lets try to get things straight before printing it.

THANKS A LOTS

JUST

PS Please advise if I am off or you off

ROLAND L. LAFLEUR 1155 W. GROLEE, ST. OFELOUSAS, LA. 70570