[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 49, Volume 5]
[Revised as of October 1, 2002]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 49CFR523.3]

[Page 84-85]
 
                        TITLE 49--TRANSPORTATION
 
                            OF TRANSPORTATION
 
PART 523--VEHICLE CLASSIFICATION--Table of Contents
 
Sec. 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

[[Page 85]]

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

(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]