When you’re in the market for a new car, you’re likely considering fuel efficiency, safety ratings, and maybe even the latest tech features. But have you ever thought about where the parts of your car come from? The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) provides valuable information about the origin of car parts, specifically the U.S. and Canadian content in passenger vehicles. This is made possible through the American Automobile Labeling Act (AALA), which mandates that manufacturers disclose the percentage of U.S./Canadian parts in their vehicles. This article will delve into these “Part Cars” listings, explaining what they mean for consumers and how to access this important data.
Decoding AALA Reports: Your Guide to Part Cars Content
NHTSA publishes reports based on data submitted by vehicle manufacturers, detailing the U.S./Canadian content of parts used in assembling passenger motor vehicles. The AALA defines a passenger motor vehicle as one designed to carry 12 or fewer people and having a gross vehicle weight rating of 8,500 pounds or less. This includes cars, SUVs, and light-duty trucks, but excludes motorcycles and heavy-duty trucks designed primarily for cargo.
These reports are categorized in two main ways for easy access:
Alphabetical Listings by Manufacturer
For those who want to explore specific brands or manufacturers, NHTSA offers Part 583 AALA reports listed alphabetically. These reports are further broken down by year, allowing you to track trends or compare different model years for a particular manufacturer. This is helpful if you’re interested in seeing how a specific car brand sources its parts over time.
Percentage-Based Listings of US/Canadian Part Cars
If you’re more interested in comparing vehicles based on their U.S./Canadian parts content, the percentage-based listings are invaluable. These reports categorize vehicles by year and then by the percentage of U.S./Canadian parts they contain. This allows for a direct comparison across different manufacturers and models, focusing specifically on the origin of the parts.
What Information Do Part Cars Labels Provide?
Every new passenger motor vehicle is required to display a label containing six key pieces of information to inform consumers about its “part cars” composition:
- U.S./Canadian Parts Content Percentage: This is the headline figure, indicating the percentage by value of equipment (parts) originating from the U.S. and Canada.
- Major Foreign Parts Contributors: If any country other than the U.S. or Canada contributes 15 percent or more to the equipment content, up to two such countries must be named along with their respective percentage contributions.
- Final Assembly Point: The city, state (if in the U.S.), and country where the vehicle was finally assembled.
- Engine Origin: The country where the vehicle’s engine was manufactured.
- Transmission Origin: The country where the vehicle’s transmission was manufactured.
- Explanatory Statement: A disclaimer clarifying that the parts content percentage excludes costs associated with final assembly (except for engine and transmission), distribution, and other non-parts expenses.
It’s important to note that these percentages are calculated on a “carline” basis, not for individual vehicles. A “carline” refers to a group of vehicles with common construction elements, like body and chassis, and includes all vehicles under a specific nameplate. Percentages are also rounded to the nearest 5 percent for simplicity.
How is Part Cars Content Calculated?
Vehicle manufacturers are responsible for calculating the equipment content percentages for each carline before the start of a model year. This involves a detailed estimation process, considering:
- U.S./Canadian Content of Each Part: The value of each piece of equipment (part) sourced from the U.S. or Canada.
- Total Value of Each Part: The price the manufacturer pays for each part, typically provided by suppliers.
- Quantity of Each Part: The estimated number of each part to be used in assembling vehicles within the carline during the model year.
For optional equipment, manufacturers estimate installation rates. For example, if a carline offers both manual and automatic transmissions, they’ll estimate the proportion of vehicles expected to be built with each type.
The label itself must be placed in a prominent location on the vehicle’s exterior, visible even when the doors are closed. It can be integrated into the Monroney price label, the fuel economy label, or presented as a separate label.
Accessing NHTSA’s Part Cars Information
The tables provided by NHTSA summarize the most critical information from these labels: the percentage of U.S./Canadian content, the vehicle type (passenger car, MPV, etc.), and the manufacturing location (U.S./Canada, elsewhere, or both). You can find the vehicle type on the certification label typically located on the driver’s side door or doorjamb.
Beyond parts content, NHTSA’s website, NHTSA.gov, offers a wealth of information on vehicle safety equipment, systems, and crash test ratings from the New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). For direct assistance, you can contact the Auto Safety Hotline at 888-327-4236.
For in-depth research into the original manufacturer submissions or Part 583 reports, NHTSA’s Technical Information Services (TIS) is available. The TIS Reading Room in Washington, DC, is open to the public, and staff are available to assist researchers. For remote requests requiring extensive searches, written requests with details and agreement for fee-based research can be mailed to the address provided or emailed to [email protected].
Technical Information Services (NPO-411)
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
1200 New Jersey Avenue SE.
East Building (E12-100)
Washington, DC 20590
For general inquiries, the Vehicle Safety Hotline at 888-327-4236 can provide assistance. For specific research requests, contacting TIS directly is necessary. Fax requests can be sent to 202-493-2833, with responses delivered by mail or courier. Further details on TIS services and fees can be found at TIS Services. For questions specifically about Part 583 submissions, Ahmad Barnes can be contacted via email at [email protected].
Conclusion: Making Informed Decisions About Part Cars
Understanding the U.S./Canadian content in your vehicle, or “part cars,” is made transparent through the AALA and NHTSA’s reporting. This information empowers consumers to make informed purchasing decisions, considering not just the vehicle’s features and performance, but also the origin of its parts. Whether you’re interested in supporting domestic manufacturing or simply curious about the global supply chain behind your car, these resources provide valuable insights into the composition of your next vehicle. By utilizing NHTSA’s reports and resources, you can gain a deeper understanding of where your car comes from, part by part.
