98-9724. Notice of Receipt of Petition for Decision that Nonconforming 1995 Jeep Wrangler Multi-Purpose Passenger Vehicles Are Eligible for Importation  

  • [Federal Register Volume 63, Number 71 (Tuesday, April 14, 1998)]
    [Notices]
    [Pages 18249-18250]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 98-9724]
    
    
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    DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
    
    National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
    [Docket No. NHTSA-98-3709]
    
    
    Notice of Receipt of Petition for Decision that Nonconforming 
    1995 Jeep Wrangler Multi-Purpose Passenger Vehicles Are Eligible for 
    Importation
    
    AGENCY: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, DOT.
    
    ACTION: Notice of receipt of petition for decision that nonconforming 
    1995 Jeep Wrangler multi-purpose passenger vehicles (MPVs) 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 1995 
    Jeep Wrangler manufactured for the Middle Eastern and other foreign 
    markets that was not originally manufactured to comply with all 
    applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standards is 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 May 14, 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 1995 Jeep Wrangler MPVs manufactured for the Middle 
    Eastern and other foreign markets are eligible for importation into the 
    United States. The vehicle which Wallace believes is substantially 
    similar is the 1995 Jeep Wrangler 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 1995 Jeep Wrangler 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 1995 Jeep Wrangler, 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.
    
    [[Page 18250]]
    
        Specifically, the petitioner claims that the non-U.S. certified 
    1995 Jeep Wrangler is identical to its U.S. certified counterpart 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, 113 Hood Latch Systems, 116 Brake Fluid, 119 New Pneumatic 
    Tires, 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.
        Petitioner also contends that the vehicle is capable of being 
    readily altered to meet the following standards, in the manner 
    indicated:
        Standard No. 101 Controls and Displays: inscription of the word 
    ``Brake'' on the brake failure warning light.
        Standard No. 108 Lamps, Reflective Devices and Associated 
    Equipment: (a) replacement of the taillight assemblies with U.S.-model 
    components that incorporate rear sidemarkers; (b) installation of a 
    high mounted stop lamp.
        Standard No. 111 Rearview Mirrors: inscription of the required 
    warning statement on the passenger side rearview mirror.
        Standard No. 114 Theft Protection: installation of a warning device 
    that activates whenever the key is left in the ignition and the 
    driver's door is opened.
        Standard No. 120 Tire Selection and Rims: installation of a tire 
    information placard.
        Standard No. 208 Occupant Crash Protection: installation of a seat 
    belt warning system with a flashing light that displays the appropriate 
    symbol.
        Additionally, the petitioner states that a vehicle identification 
    number plate must be affixed to the vehicle to meet the requirements of 
    49 CFR Part 565.
        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. 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: April 8, 1998.
    Marilynne Jacobs,
    Director,
    Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance.
    [FR Doc. 98-9724 Filed 4-13-98; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 4910-59-P
    
    
    

Document Information

Published:
04/14/1998
Department:
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Entry Type:
Notice
Action:
Notice of receipt of petition for decision that nonconforming 1995 Jeep Wrangler multi-purpose passenger vehicles (MPVs) are eligible for importation.
Document Number:
98-9724
Dates:
The closing date for comments on the petition is May 14, 1998.
Pages:
18249-18250 (2 pages)
Docket Numbers:
Docket No. NHTSA-98-3709
PDF File:
98-9724.pdf