Total consumer out-of-pocket costs have been estimated for four Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. They are: FMVSS 214-Side Door Strength, FMVSS 215-Exterior Protection, FMVSS 301-Fuel System Integrity, and FMVSS 208-Occupant Crash Protection. For each standard a representative sample of makes and models of vehicles was established. The parts required to meet the safety standard were purchased and their costs were estimated. The first year of the imposition of the standard and the year immediately preceding it were emphasized. By analysis, the consumer costs attributed to the standard for each make and model were determined. A weighted average was developed from the sample vehicles and applied to the total industry volumes to determine the out-of-pocket cost for the implementation of each standard. The weighted average of weight variance per vehicle due to the implementation of the standard was also determined for FMVSS 214, 215, and 301.
Samenvatting