Interpretation ID: nht81-1.50

DATE: 03/17/81

FROM: AUTHOR UNAVAILABLE; F. Berndt; NHTSA

TO: Aston Martin Lagonda, Ltd.

TITLE: FMVSS INTERPRETATION

TEXT:

NOA-30

Mr. R. Goldsmith Certification Engineer Safety and Emissions Department Aston Martin Lagonda, Ltd. Tickford Street, Newport Pagnell Buckinghamshire MK 16 9AN

Dear Mr. Goldsmith

This is in response to your letter forwarding your firm's vehicle identification numbering system and requesting confirmation that it complies with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 115 -Vehicle identification number.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) does not give advance approval of a manufacturer's compliance with motor vehicle safety standards or regulations, as it is the manufacturer's responsibility under the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act to ensure that its vehicles comply with the applicable safety standards. However, my office has reviewed your proposed system. Based on our understanding of the information which you have provided, your system apparently complies with Standard No. 115.

Sincerely,

Frank Berndt Chief Counsel

Mr. F. Berndt, Chief Counsel, U.S. Department of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Washington D.C. 20590, U.S.A. 11th December, 1980

Dear Mr. Berndt, Vehicle Identification Numbers

Thank you for your letter of 18th November, in which you indicate that Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) deciphering information is made available to the public. I would like to point out that only the brake horse power (BHP) data is confidential, not all the engine type information.

However, as you suggest, I have reviewed the engine type information by deleting the BHP data, and adding the vehicle make, model and manufacturer's name.

None of the information in the VIN decipher is now confidential but complete vehicle identification is readily available. Thus please find enclosed herewith the Aston Martin Lagonda resubmission of the VIN constructed to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 115.

Yours sincerely,

R. Goldsmith Certification Engineer Safety and Emissions Department

RG/JL

copy Aston Martin Lagonda Inc., U.S.A.