Interpretation ID: nht81-1.44

DATE: 03/17/81

FROM: AUTHOR UNAVAILABLE; F. Berndt; NHTSA

TO: Nu-Wa Industries, Inc.

TITLE: FMVSS INTERPRETATION

TEXT:

Mr. Neil Ford Plant Engineer Nu-Wa Industries, Inc. P.O. Box 768 Chanute, KS 66720

Dear Mr. Ford

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

December 18, 1980

Administrator, NHTSA

Attn: VIN COORDINATOR

Reference: Vehicle Identification Number

Dear Sir:

Enclosed please find the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) as established by Nu-Wa Industries, Inc. for Custom Covers and Campers, Inc.

The VIN application for Custom Covers and Campers, Inc. is being submitted by Nu-Wa as an engineering service. Additional computer services and coordination will be required of Nu-Wa as the new VIN system is incorporated by Custom Covers and Campers, Inc.

Custom Covers is a manufacturer or less than 500 units per year.

The target date for affixing the first VIN is January 1, 1981 although the application was not submitted 60 days prior to implementing the system.

Attachment "A" and Attachment "B" are enclosed to illustrate how to decipher the Custom Covers VIN. Attachment "A" describes each character used in the VIN. Attachment "B" indicates a typical Custom Covers VIN and the check digit computation.

The following information determines how to decipher the VIN characters, reference attachment "A" and NHTSA part 571 Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.

1C9 - The first three (3) characters are the World Makers Identification as assigned by the Society of Automotive Engineers, Inc. SAE verification of the assigned number is to be mailed to my attention by January 1, 1981.

3 - The fourth (4th) character indicates the "type"; travel trailer-2, fifth wheel trailer-3, and truck campers-7.

2 - The fifth (5th) character indicates the "number of axles"; one axle-1, two axles-2, three axles-3, and no axles-9.

O - The sixth (6th) character is not used.

L - The seventh (7th) character indicates the units length in feet; 10-12 ft. -D, 12-14 ft. -E, 14-16 ft. -F, 16-18 ft. -G, 18-20 ft. -H, 20-22 ft. -J, 22-24 ft. -K, 24-26 ft. -L, 26-28 ft. -M, 28-30 ft. -N, 30-32 ft. -P, 32 ft. & up -R.

O - The eighth (8th) character is not used.

4 - The ninth (9th) character is the check digit. The check digit is computed as specified per para. 5.2.1 -5.2.4.

A - The tenth (10th) character is the model year as established by table II, paragraph 4.5.3.1.

A - The eleventh (11th) character is the plant location; Custom Covers and Campers, Inc. has only one plant location.

113 - The twelve (12th) thru the fourteenth (14th) characters are the manufacturers world maker identifier as assigned by SAE.

183 - The fifteenth (15th) thru the seventeenth (17th) characters are the sequential numbers as assigned by Custom Covers and Campers, Inc.

Please review the information and advise if any additional information is required or if the Custom Covers and Campers, Inc. VIN is acceptable as submitted.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

NU WA INDUSTRIES, INC.

NEIL FORD Plant Engineer

Attachments Omitted.