Coleman Sachs

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I recently retired after completing 42 years of Federal service.  I spent 33 of those years with NHTSA, initially as a Trial Attorney in the Office of Chief Counsel and subsequently as Chief of the Import and Certification Division of the Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance (OVSC).  In the course of my NHTSA career, I gained a close familiarity with many aspects of the agency’s vehicle safety program.

 

The bulk of my time with the Chief Counsel’s Office was spent assisting the Office of Defects Investigations in the investigation of suspected safety-related defects in motor vehicles and motor vehicle equipment.  This included several high-profile investigations, such as the agency’s investigation in 2000-2001 of suspected safety-related defects in Firestone tires manufactured for use on Ford Explorer vehicles.  While serving with the Office of Chief Counsel, I also developed rulemakings and other Federal Register notices and drafted interpretation letters on vehicle import and certification issues.

 

This experience led to my ultimate appointment as Chief of the Import and Certification Division of OVSC, where I remained for the past 16 years.   While serving in this position, I managed all aspects of the agency's vehicle importation program and the requirements that manufacturers must meet to certify vehicles for sale in the United States.  My last two years with NHTSA were devoted principally to the processing of applications for permission to import nonconforming vehicles equipped with automated driving systems for research or demonstration purposes.  I developed and implemented the procedures for assessing the risks associated with these importations and the procedures the agency has put in place for processing these applications. 

 

Now that I have retired, I am available to provide consultation to manufacturers and other parties who wish to import or manufacture vehicles, including those  equipped with automated driving systems or other novel technologies for sale or use in the United States. I look forward to being of service to you.  

 

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