96-1314. 1995 Chrysler Cirrus and Dodge Stratus Passenger Cars; Public Proceeding Scheduled

[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 18 (Friday, January 26, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 2569-2570]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-1314]



-----------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 2570]]


DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
[Docket No. NCI 3363; Notice 1]


1995 Chrysler Cirrus and Dodge Stratus Passenger Cars; Public 
Proceeding Scheduled

AGENCY: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

ACTION: Notice of public meeting.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: NHTSA will hold a public meeting at 10 a.m. on February 14, 
1996, regarding its initial decision that certain 1995 model Chrysler 
Cirrus and Dodge Stratus passenger cars fail to comply with Federal 
Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 210, Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jeff Giuseppe, Office of Vehicle 
Safety Compliance, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 400 
Seventh Street, SW, Washington, DC 20590; [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 30118(a) (formerly 
section 152(a) of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 
1966, as amended), on January 19, 1996, NHTSA's Associate Administrator 
for Safety Assurance made an initial decision that certain 1995 model 
Chrysler Cirrus and Dodge Stratus passenger cars manufactured by 
Chrysler Corporation before May 15, 1995, do not comply with the 
requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 210, 
Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages, 49 CFR 571.210.
    In a compliance test performed for NHTSA on July 10, 1995, the 
anchorage for the rear seat safety belt on the driver side of a 
Chrysler Cirrus vehicle pulled loose from the floor of the vehicle 
prior to sustaining a force of 3,000 pounds, as required by paragraph 
S4.2.2 of FMVSS No. 210. This failure was replicated by Chrysler when 
it tested a Cirrus with the pelvic body block positioned several inches 
in front of the seat back, which is the position employed in the NHTSA 
test. Although it was not tested by NHTSA, the 1995 Dodge Stratus is 
identical to the Chrysler Cirrus in all relevant respects, and similar 
test results would be expected.
    Chrysler contends that the anchorages in these vehicles will not 
fail when the body block is placed against the seat back rather than 
several inches from the seat back, and argues that this is sufficient 
to demonstrate compliance with FMVSS No. 210. A full discussion of the 
facts and issues involved in this matter is contained in a memorandum 
dated January 11, 1996, prepared by NHTSA's Office of Vehicle Safety 
Compliance, that can be found in the agency's public file for this 
investigation.
    Pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 30118(b)(1) and 49 CFR 554.10, a public 
meeting will be held at 10 a.m., on Wednesday, February 14, 1996, in 
Room 2230, Department of Transportation Building, 400 Seventh Street, 
SW, Washington, DC, at which time the manufacturer and all other 
interested persons will be afforded an opportunity to present 
information, views, and arguments on the issue of whether the vehicles 
covered by this initial decision comply with FMVSS No. 210.
    Interested persons are invited to participate in this proceeding 
through written an/or oral presentations. Persons wishing to make oral 
presentations are requested to notify Ms. Elaine Beale, Office of 
Vehicle Safety Compliance, National Highway Traffic Safety 
Administration, Room 6111, 400 Seventh Street, SW, Washington, DC 
20590, [phone] or by fax at [phone], before the close of 
business on February 7, 1996. Persons who wish to file written comments 
should submit them to the same address, preferably no later than the 
beginning of the meeting on February 14, 1996. However, the agency will 
accept written submissions until February 28, 1996.
    All materials related to the issues addressed by this notice are in 
the public file for NCI 3363, which is available for inspection during 
working hours (9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.) in NHTSA's Technical Reference 
Library, Room 5108, 400 Seventh Street, SW, Washington, DC 20590.

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 30118(a); delegations of authority at 49 
CFR 1.50(a) and 49 CFR 501.8.

    Issued on: January 19, 1996.
Michael B. Brownlee,
Associate Administrator for Safety Assurance.
[FR Doc. 96-1314 Filed 1-25-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-59-P