The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has granted the Aston Martin Vantage and DB9 a temporary exception to the US’ side-impact rules, allowing it keep selling cars in the country until 2017.
According to the NHTSA, “The basis for the grant is that compliance would cause substantial economic hardship to a low volume manufacturer that has tried in good faith to comply with the standard”.
The Aston Martin DB9 coupe now has until August 2016 and the DB9 convertible until September 2017 to comply with the new rules.
Likewise the Vantage coupe is now exempted until August 2017 and the Vantage convertible until September 2017.
Aston Martin hopes that its new generation of cars, powered by AMG engines, will be online by then to replace its ageing, but still beautiful, range.
The NHTSA is able to allow small manufacturers, generally those selling under 5,000 cars annually in the US, temporary relief from the country’s safety regulations. Aston Martin sold around 4,200 worldwide last year.
