[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]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
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.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
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
