49 C.F.R. PART 537—AUTOMOTIVE FUEL ECONOMY REPORTS
Title 49 - Transportation
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 32907; 49 CFR 1.50.
Source: 47 FR 34986, Aug. 12, 1982, unless otherwise noted.
This part establishes requirements for automobile manufacturers to submit reports to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration regarding their efforts to improve automotive fuel economy. The purpose of this part is to obtain information to aid the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in valuating automobile manufacturers' plans for complying with average fuel economy standards and in preparing an annual review of the average fuel economy standards. This part applies to automobile manufacturers, except for manufacturers subject to an alternate fuel economy standard under section 502(c) of the Act. (a) Statutory terms. (1) The terms average fuel economy standard, fuel, manufacture, and model year are used as defined in section 501 of the Act. (2) The term manufacturer is used as defined in section 501 of the Act and in accordance with part 529 of this chapter. (3) The terms average fuel economy, fuel economy, and model type are used as defined in subpart A of 40 CFR part 600. (4) The terms automobile, automobile capable of off-highway operation, and passenger automobile are used as defined in section 501 of the Act and in accordance with the determinations in part 523 of this chapter. (b) Other terms. (1) The term loaded vehicle weight is used as defined in subpart A of 40 CFR part 86. (2) The terms axle ratio, base level, body style, car line, combined fuel economy, engine code, equivalent test weight, gross vehicle weight, inertia weight, transmission class, and vehicle configuration are used as defined in subpart A of 40 CFR part 600. (3) The term light truck is used as defined in part 523 of this chapter and in accordance with determinations in that part. (4) The terms approach angle, axle clearance, brakeover angle, cargo carrying volume, departure angle, passenger carrying volume, running clearance, and temporary living quarters are used as defined in part 523 of this chapter. (5) The term incomplete automobile manufacturer is used as defined in part 529 of this chapter. (6) As used in this part, unless otherwise required by the context: (i) Act means the Motor Vehicle Information and Cost Savings Act (Pub. L. 92–513), as amended by the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (Pub. L. 94–163). (ii) Administrator means the Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration or the Administrator's delegate. (iii) Current model year means: (A) In the case of a pre-model year report, the full model year immediately following the period during which that report is required by §537.5(b) to be submitted. (B) In the case of a mid-model year report, the model year during which that report is required by §537.5(b) to be submitted. (iv) Average means a production-weighted harmonic average. (v) Total drive ratio means the ratio of an automobile's engine rotational speed (in revolutions per minute) to the automobile's forward speed (in miles per hour). (a) For each current model year, each manufacturer shall submit a pre-model year report, a mid-model year report, and, as required by §537.8, supplementary reports. (b)(1) The pre-model year report required by this part for each current model year must be submitted during the month of December (e.g., the pre-model year report for the 1983 model year must be submitted during December, 1982). (2) The mid-model year report required by this part for each current model year must be submitted during the month of July (e.g., the mid-model year report for the 1983 model year must be submitted during July 1983). (3) Each supplementary report must be submitted in accordance with §537.8(c). (c) Each report required by this part must: (1) Identify the report as a pre-model year report, mid-model year report, or supplementary report as appropriate; (2) Identify the manufacturer submitting the report; (3) State the full name, title, and address of the official responsible for preparing the report; (4) Be submitted in 10 copies to: Administrator, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 400 Seventh Street SW., Washington, DC 20590; (5) Identify the current model year; (6) Be written in the English language; and (7)(i) Specify any part of the information or data in the report that the manufacturer believes should be withheld from public disclosure as trade secret or other confidential business information. (ii) With respect to each item of information or data requested by the manufacturer to be withheld under 5 U.S.C. 552(b)(4) and 15 U.S.C. 2005(d)(1), the manufacturer shall: (A) Show that the item is within the scope of sections 552(b)(4) and 2005(d)(1); (B) Show that disclosure of the item would result in significant competitive damage; (C) Specify the period during which the item must be withheld to avoid that damage; and (D) Show that earlier disclosure would result in that damage. (d) Each report required by this part must be based upon all information and data available to the manufacturer 30 days before the report is submitted to the Administrator. (a) Pre-model year and mid-model year reports. Except as provided in paragraph (c) of this section, each pre-model year report and the mid-model year report for each model year must contain the information required by §537.7(a). (b) Supplementary report. Each supplementary report must contain the information required by §537.8(b) (1), (2), or (3), as appropriate. (c) Exceptions. (1) The pre-model year report is not required to contain the information specified in §537.7 (b), (c) (1) and (2), or (c)(4) (xiv) and (xx) if that report is required to be submitted before the fifth day after the date by which the manufacturer must submit the preliminary determination of its average fuel economy for the current model year to the Environmental Protection Agency under 40 CFR 600.506, when such determination is required. Each manufacturer that does not include information under the exception in the immediately preceding sentence shall indicate in its report the date by which it must submit that preliminary determination. (2) The pre-model year report and the mid-model year report submitted by an incomplete automobile manufacturer for any model year are not required to contain the information specified in §537.7 (c)(4) (xv) through (xviii) and (c)(5). The information provided by the incomplete automobile manufacturer under §537.7(c) shall be according to base level instead of model type or carline. (a)(1) Provide the information required by paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section for the manufacturer's passenger automobiles for the current model year. (2) After providing the information required by paragraph (a)(1) of this section provide the information required by paragraphs (b) and (c) for this section of each class, as specified in part 533 of this chapter, of the manufacturer's light trucks for the current model year. (b) Projected average fuel economy. (1) State the projected average fuel economy for the manufacturer's automobiles determined in accordance with §537.9 and based upon the fuel economy values and projected sales figures provided under paragraph (c)(2) of this section. (2) State the projected final average fuel economy that the manufacturer anticipates having if changes implemented during the model year will cause that average to be different from the average fuel economy projected under paragraph (b)(1) of this section. (3) State whether the manufacturer believes that the projection it provides under paragraph (b)(2) of this section, or if it does not provide an average under that paragraph, the projection it provides under paragraph (b)(1) of this section sufficiently represents the manufacturer's average fuel economy for the current model year for the purposes of the Act. In the case of a manufacturer that believes that the projection is not sufficiently representative for those purposes, state the specific nature of any reason for the insufficiency and the specific additional testing or derivation of fuel economy values by analytical methods believed by the manufacturer necessary to eliminate the insufficiency and any plans of the manufacturer to undertake that testing or derivation voluntarily and submit the resulting data to the Environmental Protection Agency under 40 CFR 600.509. (c) Model type and configuration fuel economy and technical information. (1) For each model type of the manufacturer's automobiles, provide the information specified in paragraph (c)(2) of this section in tabular form. List the model types in order of increasing average inertia weight from top to bottom down the left side of the table and list the information categories in the order specified in paragraph (c)(2) of this section from left to right across the top of the table. (2)(i) Combined fuel economy; and (ii) Projected sales for the current model year and total sales of all model types. (3) (Pre-model year report only.) For each vehicle configuration whose fuel economy was used to calculate the fuel economy values for a model type under paragraph (c)(2) of this section, provide the information specified in paragraph (c)(4) of this section either in tabular form or as a fixed format computer tape. If a tabular form is used then list the vehicle configurations, by model type in the order listed under paragraph (c)(2) of this section, from top to bottom down the left of the table and list the information categories across the top of the table from left to right in the order specified in paragraph (c)(4) of this section. Other formats (such as copies of EPA reports) which contain all the required information in a readily identifiable form are also acceptable. If a computer tape is used, any NHTSA approved fixed format structure may be used, but each vehicle configuration record should identify the manufacturer, model type, and for light trucks the drive wheel code, e.g., 2 or 4 wheel drive. At least the information categories specified here and in paragraph (c)(4) of this section must be provided, but if preferred the tape may contain any additional categories. Each computer tape record must contain all the required categories of information to enable direct reading and interpretation in the fixed format that was approved. There should be no titles, column headings, page numbers, or attachment numbers on the tape. It must be possible to directly calculate and produce the tables specified in paragraph (c)(1) of this section from the records on this tape. (4)(i) Loaded vehicle weight; (ii) Equivalent test weight; (iii) Engine displacement, liters; (iv) SAE net rated power, kilowatts; (v) SAE net horsepower; (vi) Engine code; (vii) Fuel system (number of carburetor barrels or, if fuel injection is used, so indicate); (viii) Emission control system; (ix) Transmission class; (x) Number of forward speeds; (xi) Existence of overdrive (indicate yes or no); (xii) Total drive ratio (N/V); (xiii) Axle ratio; (xiv) Combined fuel economy; (xv) Projected sales for the current model year; (xvi)(A) In the case of passenger automobiles: (1) Interior volume index, determined in accordance with subpart D of 40 CFR part 600, and (2) Body style; (B) In the case of light trucks: (1) Passenger-carrying volume, (2) Cargo-carrying volume; (3) Beginning model year 2008, track width as defined in 49 CFR 523.2, (4) Beginning model year 2008, wheelbase as defined in 49 CFR 523.2, and (5) Beginning model year 2008, footprint as defined in 49 CFR 523.2 (xvii) Performance of the function described in §523.5(a)(5) of this chapter (indicate yes or no); (xviii) Existence of temporary living quarters (indicate yes or no); (xix) Frontal area; (xx) Road load power at 50 miles per hour, if determined by the manufacturer for purposes other than compliance with this part to differ from the road load setting prescribed in 40 CFR 86.177–11(d); (xxi) Optional equipment that the manufacturer is required under 40 CFR parts 86 and 600 to have actually installed on the vehicle configuration, or the weight of which must be included in the curb weight computation for the vehicle configuration, for fuel economy testing purposes. (5) For each model type of automobile which is classified as an automobile capable of off-highway operation under part 523 of this chapter, provide the following data: (i) Approach angle; (ii) Departure angle; (iii) Breakover angle; (iv) Axle clearance; (v) Minimum running clearance; and (vi) Existence of 4-wheel drive (indicate yes or no). (6) The fuel economy values provided under paragraphs (c) (2) and (4) of this section shall be determined in accordance with §537.9. [47 FR 34986, Aug. 12, 1982, as amended at 58 FR 18029, Apr. 7, 1993; 71 FR 17678, Apr. 6, 2006] (a)(1) Except as provided in paragraph (d) of this section, each manufacturer whose most recently submitted semiannual report contained an average fuel economy projection under §537.7(b)(2) or, if no average fuel economy was projected under that section, under §537.7(b)(1), that was not less than the applicable average fuel economy standard and who now projects an average fuel economy which is less than the applicable standard shall file a supplementary report containing the information specified in paragraph (b)(1) of this section. (2) Except as provided in paragraph (d) of this section, each manufacturer that determines that its average fuel economy for the current model year as projected under §537.7(b)(2) or, if no average fuel economy was projected under that section, as projected under §537.7(b)(1), is less representative than the manufacturer previously reported it to be under §537.7(b)(3), this section, or both, shall file a supplementary report containing the information specified in paragraph (b)(2) of this section. (3) Each manufacturer whose pre-model year report omits any of the information specified in §537.7 (b), (c) (1) and (2), or (c)(4) (xvi) and (xxiv) shall file supplementary report containing the information specified in paragraph (b)(3) of this section. (b)(1) The supplementary report required by paragraph (a)(1) of this section must contain: (i) Such revisions of and additions to the information previously submitted by the manufacturer under this part regarding the automobiles whose projected average fuel economy has decreased as specified in paragraph (a)(1) of this section as are necessary— (A) To reflect the decrease and its cause; (B) To indicate a new projected average fuel economy based upon these additional measures. (ii) An explanation of the cause of the decrease in average fuel economy that led to the manufacturer's having to submit the supplementary report required by paragraph (a)(1) of this section. (2) The supplementary report required by paragraph (a)(2) of this section must contain: (i) A statement of the specific nature of and reason for the insufficiency in the representativeness of the projected average fuel economy; (ii) A statement of specific additional testing or derivation of fuel economy values by analytical methods believed by the manufacturer necessary to eliminate the insufficiency; and (iii) A description of any plans of the manufacturer to undertake that testing or derivation voluntarily and submit the resulting data to the Environmental Protection Agency under 40 CFR 600.509. (3) The supplementary report required by paragraph (a)(3) of this section must contain: (i) All of the information omitted from the pre-model year report under §537.6(c)(2); and (ii) Such revisions of and additions to the information submitted by the manufacturer in its pre-model year report regarding the automobiles produced during the current model year as are necessary to reflect the information provided under paragraph (b)(3)(i) of this section. (c)(1) Each report required by paragraph (a) (1) or (2) of this section must be submitted in accordance with §537.5(c) not more than 45 days after the date on which the manufacturer determined, or could have, with reasonable diligence, determined that a report is required under paragraph (a) (1) or (2) of this section. (2) Each report required by paragraph (a)(3) of this section must be submitted in accordance with §537.5(c) not later than five days after the day by which the manufacturer is required to submit a preliminary calculation of its average fuel economy for the current model year to the Environmental Protection Agency under 40 CFR 600.506. (d) A supplementary report is not required to be submitted by the manufacturer under paragraph (a) (1) or (2) of this section: (1) With respect to information submitted under this part before the most recent semiannual report submitted by the manufacturer under this part, or (2) When the date specified in paragraph (c) of this section occurs: (i) During the 60-day period immediately preceding the day by which the mid-model year report for the current model year must be submitted by the manufacturer under this part, or (ii) After the day by which the pre-model year report for the model year immediately following the current model year must be submitted by the manufacturer under this part. (e) Reporting compliance option in model years 2008–2010. For model years 2008, 2009, and 2010, each manufacturer of light trucks, as that term is defined in 49 CFR 523.5, shall submit a report, not later than 45 days following the end of the model year, indicating whether the manufacturer is opting to comply with 49 CFR 533.5(f) or 49 CFR 533.5(g). [47 FR 34986, Aug. 12, 1982, as amended at 71 FR 17678, Apr. 6, 2006] (a) Vehicle configuration fuel economy values. (1) For each vehicle configuration for which a fuel economy value is required under paragraph (c) of this section and has been determined and approved under 40 CFR part 600, the manufacturer shall submit that fuel economy value. (2) For each vehicle configuration specified in paragraph (a)(1) of this section for which a fuel economy value approved under 40 CFR part 600, does not exist, but for which a fuel economy value determined under that part exists, the manufacturer shall submit that fuel economy value. (3) For each vehicle configuration specified in paragraph (a)(1) of this section for which a fuel economy value has been neither determined nor approved under 40 CFR part 600, the manufacturer shall submit a fuel economy value based on tests or analyses comparable to those prescribed or permitted under 40 CFR part 600 and a description of the test procedures or analytical methods used. (b) Base level and model type fuel economy values. For each base level and model type, the manufacturer shall submit a fuel economy value based on the values submitted under paragraph (a) of this section and calculated in the same manner as base level and model type fuel economy values are calculated for use under subpart F of 40 CFR part 600. (c) Average fuel economy. Average fuel economy must be based upon fuel economy values calculated under paragraph (b) of this section for each model type and must be calculated in accordance with 40 CFR 600.506, using the configurations specified in 40 CFR 600.506(a)(2), except that fuel economy values for running changes and for new base levels are required only for those changes made or base levels added before the average fuel economy is required to be submitted under this part. (a) A manufacturer may incorporate by reference in a report required by this part any document other than a report, petition, or application, or portion thereof submitted to any Federal department or agency more than two model years before the current model year. (b) A manufacturer that incorporates by references a document not previously submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shall append that document to the report. (c) A manufacturer that incorporates by reference a document shall clearly identify the document and, in the case of a document previously submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, indicate the date on which and the person by whom the document was submitted to this agency. Except as provided in §537.12, any person may inspect the information and data submitted by a manufacturer under this part in the docket section of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Any person may obtain copies of the information available for inspection under this section in accordance with the regulations of the Secretary of Transportation in part 7 of this title. (a) Information made available under §537.11 for public inspection does not include information for which confidentiality is requested under §537.5(c)(7), is granted in accordance with section 505 of the Act and section 552(b) of Title 5 of the United States Code and is not subsequently released under paragraph (c) of this section in accordance with section 505 of the Act. (b) Denial of confidential treatment. When the Administrator denies a manufacturer's request under §537.5(c)(7) for confidential treatment of information, the Administrator gives the manufacturer written notice of the denial and reasons for it. Public disclosure of the information is not made until after the ten-day period immediately following the giving of the notice. (c) Release of confidential information. After giving written notice to a manufacturer and allowing ten days, when feasible, for the manufacturer to respond, the Administrator may make available for public inspection any information submitted under this part that is relevant to a proceeding under the Act, including information that was granted confidential treatment by the Administrator pursuant to a request by the manufacturer under §537.5(c)(7).
Title 49: Transportation
PART 537—AUTOMOTIVE FUEL ECONOMY REPORTS
Section Contents
§ 537.1 Scope.
§ 537.2 Purpose.
§ 537.3 Applicability.
§ 537.4 Definitions.
§ 537.5 General requirements for reports.
§ 537.6 General content of reports.
§ 537.7 Pre-model year and mid-model year reports.
§ 537.8 Supplementary reports.
§ 537.9 Determination of fuel economy values and average fuel economy.
§ 537.10 Incorporation by reference.
§ 537.11 Public inspection of information.
§ 537.12 Confidential information.
§ 537.1 Scope.
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§ 537.2 Purpose.
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§ 537.3 Applicability.
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§ 537.4 Definitions.
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§ 537.5 General requirements for reports.
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§ 537.6 General content of reports.
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§ 537.7 Pre-model year and mid-model year reports.
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§ 537.8 Supplementary reports.
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§ 537.9 Determination of fuel economy values and average fuel economy.
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§ 537.10 Incorporation by reference.
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§ 537.11 Public inspection of information.
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§ 537.12 Confidential information.
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