[bri3d]

Absolutely, and for the "full" FMVSS this makes sense - the stakes are high and the rules are a byzantine mess in a lot of areas (for example, making sure specific warning lights aren't obscured at each possible angle of a telescoping and tilting steering column).

But, for LSV the requirements are so simple that this is much easier, though.

https://www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/tp-500-02.pdf

The rules for an LSV are pretty much "has lights, a DOT windshield, and seat belts, isn't overweight, and doesn't go more than 25."

I would think that if a US importer could partner with one of these Chinese OEMs, they could make decent money selling one of these cheap LSVs.

[micahtoll]

This is not correct. You're part way there. Things like "have lights, DOT windshield, DOT seat belts, doesn't go over 25 mph" etc are all in fact requirements. But those are the simple ones. The trickier ones are what keep most of these from being street legal. The noisemaker has to meet all the FMVSS requirements of noisemakers in full electric cars like Teslas, Nissan Leafs, etc. The backup cameras have to meet the full FMVSS requirements for backup cameras in all full size cars. Even the factory doing the assembling has to be registered with the NHTSA and have a WMI - it's not enough to build your own factory and self certify. If you don't have NHTSA registration, a WMI and vin numbers that match a specific decoding sequence on file with the NHTSA for your specific factory (Which is why your factory has to be registered with NHTSA), your LSVs aren't street legal at the federal level and can't be imported to the US legally for on-road use if produced abroad. This is all in the document you've linked, you just haven't followed through to the sections listed in each requirement to see what the specific requirements actually are.

[makeitdouble]

Importing EVs to the US at any decent scale would be a big can of worm. At least until there’s serious US produced competition in that specific segment. Japan cars getting publicly bashed was 40 years ago; times have changed, but touching the auto industry is still a pretty emotional topic for a lot of people (coughTesla fanscough)

[tantalor]

Installing an aftermarket windshield stateside might also make shipping bit easier.