Months ago, Aston Martin received a strong warning from NHTSA which hints on the DB9 and Vantage model being axed from the US automotive market. It was later revealed that both models failed to comply with the new side-impact crash regulations in the nation.
Despite that fact, it was announced today that NHTSA is giving an exemption for the DB9 and Vantage temporarily. As such, both vehicles can still be sold legally until August 2016 for the Vantage and August 2017 for the DB9 & Vantage convertibles.
Many might view this as unfair from NHTSA. This is after American witnessed the axing of the Lotus Evora, which also failed to meet the local safety standards.
Regardless, NHTSA claims that “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 exempted period will be more than enough for Aston Martin to update the DB9 and the Vantage with an all-new model that will surely meet the US safety standards.
