[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 49, Volume 6]
[Revised as of October 1, 2006]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 49CFR551.48]

[Page 133-134]
 
                        TITLE 49--TRANSPORTATION
 
                   CHAPTER V--NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC
                    SAFETY ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT
                            OF TRANSPORTATION
 
PART 551_PROCEDURAL RULES--Table of Contents
 
   Subpart D_Service of Process on Foreign Manufacturers and Importers
 
Sec.  551.48  May an official of a foreign manufacturer serve as its agent?

    (a) Generally no; an agent must be a permanent resident of the 
United States. Typically officials of foreign manufacturers and 
importers are not United States residents.

[[Page 134]]

    (b) Occasionally an official of a foreign manufacturer also serves 
as an official of a domestic firm or corporation or is a permanent 
resident of the United States. In such cases, the official may serve as 
agent and sign the designation documents both on behalf of the foreign 
manufacturer and as agent. However, the foreign manufacturer must submit 
to NHTSA, along with the designation documents, a letter explaining that 
the individual signing the designation is both an official of the 
foreign manufacturer with authority to appoint an agent and a permanent 
resident of the United States or official of a domestic firm or 
corporation. If NHTSA does not receive an explanatory letter at the same 
time it receives the designation, the agency will deem the designation 
insufficient under this subpart and reject the submission.