02-1512. Notice of Receipt of Petition for Decision That Nonconforming 1991 Cadillac Seville Passenger Cars Are Eligible for Importation

AGENCY:

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, DOT.

ACTION:

Notice of receipt of petition for decision that nonconforming 1991 Cadillac Seville passenger cars are eligible for importation.

SUMMARY:

This document announces receipt by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) of a petition for a decision that 1991 Cadillac Seville passenger cars that were not originally manufactured to comply with all applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standards are eligible for importation into the United States because (1) they are substantially similar to vehicles that were originally manufactured for sale in the United States and that were certified by their manufacturer as complying with the safety standards, and (2) they are capable of being readily altered to conform to the standards.

DATES:

The closing date for comments on the petition is February 21, 2002.

ADDRESSES:

Comments should refer to the docket number and notice number, and be submitted to: Docket Management, Room PL-401, 400 Seventh St., SW., Washington, DC 20590. [Docket hours are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

George Entwistle, Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance, NHTSA (202-366-5306).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

Under 49 U.S.C. 30141(a)(1)(A), a motor vehicle that was not originally manufactured to conform to all applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standards shall be refused admission into the United States unless NHTSA has decided that the motor vehicle is substantially similar to a motor vehicle originally manufactured for importation into and sale in the United States, certified under 49 U.S.C. 30115, and of the same model year as the model of the motor vehicle to be compared, and is capable of being readily altered to conform to all applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standards.

Petitions for eligibility decisions may be submitted by either manufacturers or importers who have registered with NHTSA pursuant to 49 CFR part 592. As specified in 49 CFR 593.7, NHTSA publishes notice in the Federal Register of each petition that it receives, and affords interested persons an opportunity to comment on the petition. At the close of the comment period, NHTSA decides, on the basis of the petition and any comments that it has received, whether the vehicle is eligible for importation. The agency then publishes this decision in the Federal Register.

Wallace Environmental Testing Laboratories, Inc. of Houston, Texas (“WETL”)(Registered Importer 90-005) has petitioned NHTSA to decide whether 1991 Cadillac Seville passenger cars originally manufactured for the European and other foreign markets are eligible for importation into the United States. The vehicles which WETL believes are substantially similar are 1991 Cadillac Seville passenger cars that were manufactured for sale in the United States and certified by their manufacturer, General Motors Corporation, as conforming to all applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standards.

The petitioner claims that it carefully compared non-U.S. certified 1991 Cadillac Seville passenger cars to their U.S.-certified counterparts, and found the vehicles to be substantially similar with respect to compliance with most Federal motor vehicle safety standards.

WETL submitted information with its petition intended to demonstrate that non-U.S. certified 1991 Cadillac Seville passenger cars, as originally manufactured, conform to many Federal motor vehicle safety standards in the same manner as their U.S. certified counterparts, or are capable of being readily altered to conform to those standards.

Specifically, the petitioner claims that non-U.S. certified 1991 Cadillac Seville passenger cars are identical to their U.S. certified counterparts with respect to compliance with Standard Nos. 102 Transmission Shift Lever Sequence . . . ., 103 Defrosting and Defogging Systems, 104 Windshield Wiping and Washing Systems, 105 Hydraulic Brake Systems, 106 Brake Hoses, 109 New Pneumatic tires, 110 Tire Selection and Rims, 113 Hood Latch Systems, 116 Brake Fluid, 118 Power Window Systems, 124 Accelerator Control Systems, 201 Occupant Protection in Interior Impact, 202 Head Restraints, 203 Impact Protection for the Driver from the Steering Control System, 204 Steering Control Rearward Displacement, 205 Glazing Materials, 206 Door Locks and Door Retention Components, 207 Seating Systems, 209 Seat Belt Assemblies, 210 Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages, 212 Windshield Retention, 214 Side Impact Protection, 216 Roof Crush Resistance, 219 Windshield Zone Intrusion, 301 Fuel System Integrity, and 302 Flammability of Interior Materials.

Additionally, the petitioner states that non-U.S. certified 1991 Cadillac Seville passenger cars comply with the Bumper Standard found in 49 CFR part 581 and with the Vehicle Identification Number plate requirement of 49 CFR part 565.

Petitioner also contends that the non-U.S. certified 1991 Cadillac Seville passenger cars are not identical to their U.S. certified counterparts, as specified below, but still comply with the following Standard in the manner indicated:

Standard No. 101 Controls and Displays: the speedometer indicates both kilometers per hour and mile per hour. The odometer indicates kilometers and is labeled as such. The brake warning indicator meets the requirements.

Petitioner further contends that the vehicles are capable of being readily altered to meet the following standards, in the manner indicated:

Standard No. 108 Lamps, Reflective Devices and Associated Equipment: removal and replacement of the headlamps and tail lamps with U.S.-model components.

Standard No. 111 Rearview Mirror: inscription of the required warning statement on the passenger side rearview mirror by applying to the mirror's face a photomask template bearing the required wording and sandblasting, with a mini-sandblaster, the photomasked area with 150 grit aluminum oxide.

Standard No. 114 theft Protection: installation of an audible warning device that will be activated whenever the key is left in the ignition and the driver's door is opened.

The petitioner also states that a certification label must be affixed to the driver’s side door jamb to meet the requirements of 49 CFR part 567.

Standard No. 208 Occupant Crash Protection: installation of a seat belt warning buzzer module, wired to the driver's seat belt latch. The petitioner states that the vehicle is equipped with U.S.-model driver's and passenger's side air bags and knee bolsters, and with Type II seat belts at all front and rear outboard seating positions.

Additionally, the petitioner states that all vehicles will be inspected prior to importation to ensure that they are equipped with U.S.-model anti-theft devices, and that all vehicle that are not so equipped will be modified to comply with the Theft Prevention Standard at 49 CFR part 541.

The petitioner states that the vehicles will also require the installation of a certification label in the driver's side door jamb that meets the requirements of 49 CFR part 567.

Interested persons are invited to submit comments on the petition described above. Comments should refer to the docket number and be submitted to: Docket Management, Room PL-401, 400 Seventh St., SW., Washington, DC 20590. [Docket hours are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.]. It is requested but not required that 10 copies be submitted.

All comments received before the close of business on the closing date indicated above will be considered, and will be available for examination in the docket at the above address both before and after that date. To the extent possible, comments filed after the closing date will also be considered. Notice of final action on the petition will be published in the Federal Register pursuant to the authority indicated below.

Authority: 49 U.S.C. 30141(a)(1)(A) and (b)(1); 49 CFR 593.8; delegations of authority at 49 CFR 1.50 and 501.8.

Issued on: January 16, 2002.

Harry Thompson,

Acting Director, Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance.