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49 C.F.R. § 523.3   Automobile.

Title 49 - Transportation

Title 49: Transportation
PART 523—VEHICLE CLASSIFICATION

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§ 523.3   Automobile.

(a) An automobile is any 4-wheeled vehicle propelled by fuel which is manufactured primarily for use on public streets, roads, and highways (except any vehicle operated exclusively on a rail or rails), and that either—

(1) Is rated at 6,000 pounds gross vehicle weight or less; or

(2) Which—

(i) Is rated more than 6,000 pounds gross vehicle weight, but less than 10,000 pounds gross vehicle weight,

(ii) Is a type of vehicle for which the Administrator determines, under paragraph (b) of this section, average fuel economy standards are feasible, and

(iii)(A) Is a type of vehicle for which the Administrator determines, under paragraph (b) of this section, average fuel economy standards will result in significant energy conservation, or

(B) Is a type of vehicle which the Administrator determines, under paragraph (b) of this section, is substantially used for the same purposes as vehicles described in paragraph (a)(1) of this section.

(b) The following vehicles rated at more than 6,000 pounds and less than 10,000 pounds gross vehicle weight are determined to be automobiles:

(1) Vehicles which would satisfy the criteria in §523.4 (relating to passenger automobiles) but for their gross vehicle weight rating.

(2) Vehicles which would satisfy the criteria in §523.5 (relating to light trucks) but for their gross vehicle weight rating, and which

(i) Have a basic vehicle frontal area of 45 square feet or less,

(ii) Have a curb weight of 6,000 pounds or less,

(iii) Have a gross vehicle weight rating of 8,500 pounds or less, and

(iv) Are manufactured during the 1980 model year or thereafter.

(3) Vehicles that are defined as medium duty passenger vehicles, and which are manufactured during the 2011 model year or thereafter.

(Sec. 9, Pub. L. 89–670, 80 Stat. 981 (49 U.S.C. 1657); sec. 301, Pub. L. 94–163, 89 Stat. 901 (15 U.S.C. 2002); delegation of authority at 41 FR 25015, June 22, 1976)

[42 FR 38362, July 28, 1977, as amended at 43 FR 12013, Mar. 23, 1978; 44 FR 4493, Jan. 2, 1979; 71 FR 17676, Apr. 6, 2006]

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