When purchasing a new vehicle, have you ever wondered where its parts come from? The American Automobile Labeling Act (AALA) is designed to provide transparency about the origin of Act Car Parts in passenger vehicles sold in the U.S. and Canada. This guide, based on information from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), will help you understand the AALA, what information it requires on vehicle labels, and how this impacts your purchasing decisions.
What is the American Automobile Labeling Act (AALA)?
The American Automobile Labeling Act mandates that manufacturers disclose the percentage of U.S./Canadian content in passenger motor vehicles. This act defines a passenger motor vehicle as one designed to carry no more than 12 people and having a gross vehicle weight rating of 8,500 pounds or less. This includes multipurpose passenger vehicles and light-duty trucks, but excludes motorcycles and trucks not primarily designed for carrying passengers, such as delivery trucks. The AALA ensures that every new passenger vehicle displays a label detailing the U.S./Canada parts content right up to its first retail sale.
This labeling provides crucial information to consumers, allowing them to make informed choices based on the origin of act car parts and vehicle assembly.
Key Information on the AALA Label: What to Look For in Act Car Parts Disclosure
Every new passenger motor vehicle label is required to display six critical pieces of information, helping you understand the composition of act car parts and vehicle manufacturing:
- Percentage of U.S./Canadian Equipment (Parts) Content: This is a primary focus of the AALA, indicating the proportion of act car parts originating from the U.S. and Canada.
- Countries of Origin (Excluding U.S. and Canada): 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 listed along with their respective percentage content. This further clarifies the global sourcing of act car parts.
- Final Assembly Point: The label specifies the city, state (if applicable), and country where the vehicle was finally assembled.
- Country of Origin for the Engine: Knowing the engine’s origin is vital, as it’s a major component of any vehicle.
- Country of Origin for the Transmission: Similar to the engine, the transmission’s country of origin is also disclosed.
- Explanatory Statement: The label includes a statement clarifying that the parts content percentage does not include costs associated with final assembly (except for engine and transmission), distribution, or other non-parts expenses. This ensures consumers understand what the percentage truly represents in terms of act car parts.
It’s important to note that these percentages are calculated on a “carline” basis, not per individual vehicle, and are rounded to the nearest 5 percent. A “carline” refers to a group of vehicles with shared construction characteristics, such as body and chassis. Light-duty trucks and passenger cars are considered different carlines, ensuring accurate representation of act car parts origin within each vehicle category.
Understanding How Act Car Parts Content is Calculated
Vehicle manufacturers are responsible for calculating these equipment content percentages for each carline before the start of a model year. This process involves several estimations and considerations related to act car parts:
- U.S./Canadian Content of Each Equipment Item: Manufacturers assess the value of U.S./Canadian act car parts used in each vehicle within a carline.
- Total Value of Each Equipment Item: This includes the price the manufacturer pays for each part, typically provided by their suppliers.
- Total Number of Equipment Items: Manufacturers estimate the quantity of each part needed to assemble vehicles within a carline during the model year.
- Optional Equipment: For optional features like manual or automatic transmissions, manufacturers estimate the installation rates to accurately reflect the overall act car parts content for the carline.
The label placement is also regulated. It must be in a prominent location on each vehicle, visible from the exterior when the doors are closed. It can be part of the Monroney price label, the fuel economy label, or a separate label, ensuring easy access to information about act car parts origin for potential buyers.
Accessing NHTSA Reports for Detailed Act Car Parts Information
NHTSA provides reports based on information submitted by vehicle manufacturers. These reports are valuable resources for consumers seeking detailed information on act car parts content. The tables in these reports typically include:
- Percentage of U.S./Canadian content.
- Vehicle type (passenger car, MPV, etc.).
- Manufacturing location (U.S./Canada, elsewhere, or both).
To access these original submissions and request further research, you can contact the NHTSA Technical Information Services (TIS). The TIS Reading Room is open to the public for on-site research, and TIS staff are available to assist users. For those unable to visit in person, written requests for extensive searches can be submitted for a fee.
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 (for general assistance) or 202-366-2588 (Reference Desk)
- Email: [email protected]
- Fax: 202-493-2833
- TIS Services Link: TIS Services
Understanding the AALA and utilizing NHTSA resources empowers you to make informed decisions when purchasing a new vehicle, especially concerning the origin and content of act car parts. By checking the label and exploring available reports, you can gain a clearer picture of where your vehicle’s components come from.
