For individuals in the market for a new car, understanding the origin of its components can be a significant factor in the purchasing decision. A key piece of information available to consumers is the U.S./Canadian parts content label, mandated by the American Automobile Labeling Act (AALA). This label offers transparency into the source of Automobile Car Parts used in vehicle assembly. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) provides reports based on manufacturer submissions, offering detailed insights into this labeling. This article will guide you through understanding these labels and accessing valuable information about automobile car parts content.
Decoding the American Automobile Labeling Act (AALA)
The American Automobile Labeling Act (AALA) was established to ensure that consumers are informed about the North American content of new passenger motor vehicles. According to the AALA, a passenger motor vehicle is defined as any vehicle designed to carry no more than 12 people and having a gross vehicle weight rating of 8,500 pounds or less. This definition includes multipurpose passenger vehicles and light-duty trucks but excludes motorcycles and trucks not primarily designed for carrying passengers, such as delivery trucks. These covered vehicles are required to display a label indicating the percentage of U.S./Canadian automobile car parts content right up to their first retail sale.
Key Elements of the Vehicle Parts Content Label
Every new passenger motor vehicle label must present six essential pieces of information, giving consumers a clear picture of its automobile car parts composition and origin:
- Percentage of U.S./Canadian Parts: This is the primary piece of information, indicating the proportion of equipment (parts) originating from the U.S. and Canada, calculated by value.
- Origin of Major Components from Other Countries: The label must list up to two countries, other than the U.S. and Canada, that contribute 15 percent or more to the vehicle’s equipment content. The percentage content for each of these countries is also provided.
- Final Assembly Point: The city, state (if applicable), and country where the vehicle was finally assembled are clearly stated.
- Engine Origin: The country of origin for the vehicle’s engine is specified.
- Transmission Origin: Similarly, the country of origin for the vehicle’s transmission is also provided.
- Important Disclaimer: A statement clarifies that the parts content percentage excludes costs associated with final assembly (except for engine and transmission), distribution, and other non-parts expenses.
This label is crucial for consumers who want to understand where the automobile car parts in their vehicles come from and supports informed purchasing decisions.
Understanding Carline-Based Calculation of Parts Content
It’s important to note that the U.S./Canada equipment content percentage, along with percentages for other countries, are calculated based on a “carline” rather than individual vehicles. These percentages are often rounded to the nearest 5 percent. The term “carline” refers to a group of vehicles sharing common construction characteristics, such as body and chassis. For example, light-duty trucks and passenger cars are considered different carlines, and a carline encompasses all vehicles under a specific nameplate.
Before a model year begins, vehicle manufacturers are required to calculate these equipment content percentages for each carline. This involves estimating the number of vehicles and subgroups within each carline, considering variations like base and high-line models. The calculation for U.S./Canadian content for each carline includes:
- The U.S./Canadian content value of each automobile car part used in assembling vehicles within the carline.
- The total value (manufacturer’s purchase price) of each automobile car part.
- The total quantity of each automobile car part projected for use in assembling vehicles within the carline during the model year.
Manufacturers also account for optional equipment, estimating installation rates for items like manual and automatic transmissions to refine the automobile car parts content calculation.
Locating and Interpreting the Parts Content Label
The AALA mandates that the parts content label be placed in a prominent location on each vehicle, easily readable from the exterior when the doors are closed. This label can be integrated into the Monroney price information label, the fuel economy label, or presented as a separate label. Regardless of its format, it is designed to be readily accessible to potential buyers, providing essential information about the vehicle’s automobile car parts origin.
By checking this label, consumers can quickly ascertain the percentage of U.S./Canadian automobile car parts in a vehicle, identify significant parts contributions from other countries, and confirm the final assembly location.
Accessing NHTSA Reports for Detailed Information
NHTSA compiles reports based on the data submitted by vehicle manufacturers, offering a valuable resource for those seeking more detailed information. These reports, available on the NHTSA website, list information provided by manufacturers regarding the U.S./Canadian content (by value) of equipment (parts) used in assembling passenger motor vehicles. These reports are organized to help consumers, researchers, and industry professionals analyze trends and specifics related to automobile car parts origin.
NHTSA provides these reports in two primary formats:
- Part 583 AALA Reports, Alphabetical: These reports are organized alphabetically by manufacturer and further broken down by year, making it easy to find information for specific manufacturers and model years.
- Part 583 AALA Reports, Percentage: These reports focus on U.S./Canadian parts content percentages, also broken down by year, allowing for quick comparisons of U.S./Canadian parts usage across different carlines and years.
These reports are invaluable tools for anyone interested in the specifics of automobile car parts sourcing and manufacturing transparency within the automotive industry.
Further Resources and Contact Information
Beyond the parts content information, NHTSA’s website, NHTSA.gov, offers a wealth of additional data about vehicle safety equipment, systems, and crash test ratings through the New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). For immediate assistance, the NHTSA Auto Safety Hotline is available at 888-327-4236.
For researchers and individuals seeking original manufacturer submissions or in-depth research on Part 583 submissions, the NHTSA Technical Information Services (TIS) is the primary contact. The TIS Reading Room in Washington, DC, is open to the public for on-site research. For detailed inquiries or fee-based research requests, you can contact TIS via mail or email.
Contact Information for NHTSA Technical Information Services (TIS):
- Address: Technical Information Services (NPO-411), National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., East Building (E12-100), Washington, DC 20590
- Phone: 888-327-4236 (General Assistance), 202-366-2588 (Reference Desk Escort)
- Fax: 202-493-2833
- Email: [email protected]
- TIS Services Link: TIS Services
For questions specifically related to Part 583 submissions, Ahmad Barnes at NHTSA can be contacted via email at [email protected].
By understanding the AALA, the parts content label, and the resources provided by NHTSA, consumers can gain valuable insights into the origin of automobile car parts in their vehicles, facilitating more informed and confident purchasing decisions.
