[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 202 (Tuesday, October 20, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 56063-56064]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-28125]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
[Docket No. NHTSA-98-4547]
Notice of Receipt of Petition for Decision That Nonconforming
1996 Chrysler LHS Passenger Cars Are Eligible for Importation
AGENCY: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, DOT
ACTION: Notice of receipt of petition for decision that nonconforming
1996 Chrysler LHS passenger cars are eligible for importation.
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SUMMARY: This notice announces receipt by the National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration (NHTSA) of a petition for a decision that a 1996
Chrysler LHS that was not originally manufactured to comply with all
applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standards is
[[Page 56064]]
eligible for importation into the United States because (1) it is
substantially similar to a vehicle that was originally manufactured for
sale in the United States and that was certified by its manufacturer as
complying with the safety standards, and (2) it is capable of being
readily altered to conform to the standards.
DATES: The closing date for comments on the petition is November 19,
1998.
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 10 am to
5 pm].
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
(``Wallace'') (Registered Importer 90-005) has petitioned NHTSA to
decide whether 1996 Chrysler LHS passenger cars manufactured in Mexico
for the Mexican and other foreign markets are eligible for importation
into the United States. The vehicle which Wallace believes is
substantially similar is the 1996 Chrysler LHS that was manufactured
for sale in the United States and certified by its manufacturer,
Chrysler Corporation, as conforming to all applicable Federal motor
vehicle safety standards.
The petitioner claims that it carefully compared the non-U.S.
certified 1996 Chrysler LHS to its U.S. certified counterpart, and
found the two vehicles to be substantially similar with respect to
compliance with most Federal motor vehicle safety standards.
Wallace submitted information with its petition intended to
demonstrate that the non-U.S. certified 1996 Chrysler LHS, as
originally manufactured, conforms to many Federal motor vehicle safety
standards in the same manner as its U.S. certified counterpart, or is
capable of being readily altered to conform to those standards.
Specifically, the petitioner claims that the non-U.S. certified
1996 Chrysler LHS is identical to its U.S. certified counterpart with
respect to compliance with Standards Nos. 101 Controls and Displays,
102 Transmission Shift Lever Sequence. . . ., 103 Defrosting and
Defogging Systems, 104 Windshield Wiping and Washing Systems, 105
Hydraulic Brake Systems, 106 Brake Hoses, 108 Lamps, Reflective Devices
and Associated Equipment, 109 New Pneumatic Tires, 111 Rearview Mirror,
113 Hood Latch Systems, 114 Theft Protection, 116 Brake Fluid, 118
Power Window Systems, 124 Accelerator Control Systems, 201 Occupant
Protection in Interior Impact, 202 Head Restraints, 204 Steering
Control Rearward Displacement, 205 Glazing Materials, 206 Door Locks
and Door Retention Components, 207 Seating Systems, 208 Occupant Crash
Protection (on basis that vehicles are equipped with factory-installed
driver's and passenger's side air bags, with Type II seat belts in
front and rear outboard seating positions, and with a lap belt in the
rear center designated seating position), 209 Seat Belt Assemblies, 210
Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages, 212 Windshield Retention, 214 Side
Impact Protection, 216 Roof Crush Resistance, 219 Windshield Zone
Intrusion, and 301 Fuel System Integrity, 302 Flammability of Interior
Materials.
Additionally, the petitioner states that the non-U.S. certified
1996 Chrysler LHS complies with the Bumper Standard found in 49 CFR
part 581.
The petitioner also states that a vehicle identification number
plate is affixed to the vehicle that meets the requirements of 49 CFR
part 565.
Petitioner also contends that the vehicle is capable of being
readily altered to meet the following standards, in the manner
indicated:
Standard No. 110 Tire Selection and Rims: Installation of a tire
information placard.
The petitioner finally states that all vehicles will be inspected
prior to importation to assure compliance with the Theft Prevention
Standard found in 49 CFR part 541.
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 10 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: October 15, 1998.
Marilynne Jacobs,
Director, Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance.
[FR Doc. 98-28125 Filed 10-19-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-59-P
