Don't be surprised when you see more classic cars driving down the road in the near future.
With the help from SEMA, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has finalized regulations to enact the Low Low Volume Motor Vehicle Manufacturers Act. The act passed in 2015 as part of Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act, however has since been stalled.
Now small volume motor vehicle manufacturers will be able to produce and sell turnkey replica cars that resemble vehicles produced at least 25 years ago.
Under the new law, low volume manufacturers are allowed to produce up to 325 replica cars a year subject to federal regulatory oversight and the vehicles are required to meet current model year emissions standards.
“SEMA applauds NHTSA’s final rule allowing companies to market classic-themed cars,” said Daniel Ingber, SEMA Vice President of Government Affairs, in a press release from SEMA. “Regulatory barriers have previously prevented small automakers from producing heritage cars that are coveted by consumers. The roadblocks have been eliminated. This is a hard-fought victory for enthusiasts, small volume manufacturers, their suppliers, and all the men and women who will be hired to fill new jobs created by this law.”
Low volume vehicle manufacturers must first register with NHTSA, EPA, and CARB before selling vehicles, a process that may take several months, and thereafter submit annual reports on vehicle production, noted the press release from SEMA.
To read the NHTSA final rule, click here.
