[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 86 (Thursday, May 5, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-10763]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: May 5, 1994]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
[Docket No. 94-33; Notice 1]
Receipt of Petition for Determination That Nonconforming 1988
Volkswagen Golf Rallye Passenger Cars Are Eligible for Importation
AGENCY: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of receipt of petition for determination that
nonconforming 1988 Volkswagen Golf Rallye 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 determination that a
1988 Volkswagen Golf Rallye 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
importation into and 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 modified to conform to the standards.
DATES: The closing date for comments on the petition is June 6, 1994.
ADDRESSES: Comments should refer to the docket number and notice
number, and be submitted to: Docket Section, room 5109, National
Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 400 Seventh St., SW.,
Washington, DC 20590. [Docket hours are from 9:30 am to 4 pm]
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ted Bayler, Office of Vehicle Safety
Compliance, NHTSA (202-366-5306).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
Under section 108(c)(3)(A)(i) of the National Traffic and Motor
Vehicle Safety Act (the Act), 15 U.S.C. 1397(c)(3)(A)(i), 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 on and after January 31, 1990, unless
NHTSA has determined that the motor vehicle is substantially similar to
a motor vehicle originally manufactured for importation into and sale
in the United States, certified under section 114 of the Act, and of
the same model year as the model of the motor vehicle to be compared,
and is capable of being readily modified to conform to all applicable
Federal motor vehicle safety standards.
Petitions for eligibility determinations 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 determines, 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 determination
in the Federal Register.
G&K Automotive Conversion, Inc. of Santa Ana, California (``G&K'')
(Registered Importer No. R-90-007) has petitioned NHTSA to determine
whether 1988 Volkswagen Golf Rallye passenger cars are eligible for
importation into the United States. The vehicle which G&K believes is
substantially similar is the 1988 Volkswagen Golf GTI. G&K has
submitted information indicating that Volkswagenwerke A.G., the company
that manufactured the 1988 Volkswagen Golf GTI, certified that vehicle
as conforming to all applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standards
and offered it for sale in the United States.
The petitioner claims that it carefully compared the 1988
Volkswagen Golf Rallye to the 1988 Volkswagen Golf GTI, and found the
two vehicles to be substantially similar with respect to compliance
with most Federal motor vehicle safety standards.
G&K submitted information with its petition intended to demonstrate
that the 1988 Volkswagen Golf Rallye, as originally manufactured,
conforms to many Federal motor vehicle safety standards in the same
manner as the 1988 Volkswagen Golf GTI, or is capable of being readily
modified to conform to those standards.
Specifically, the petitioner claims that the 1988 Volkswagen Golf
Rallye is identical to the certified 1988 Volkswagen Golf GTI with
respect to compliance with Standards Nos. 102 Transmission Shift Lever
Sequence * * *, 103 Defrosting and Defogging Systems, 104 Windshield
Wiping and Washing Systems, 105 Hydraulic Brake Systems, 106 Brake
Hoses, 107 Reflecting Surfaces, 109 New Pneumatic Tires, 113 Hood Latch
Systems, 116 Brake Fluid, 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, 211 Wheel Nuts, Wheel
Discs and Hubcaps, 212 Windshield Retention, 216 Roof Crush Resistance,
219 Windshield Zone Intrusion, and 302 Flammability of Interior
Materials.
Petitioner also contends that the vehicle is capable of being
readily modified to meet the following standards, in the manner
indicated:
Standard No. 101 Controls and Displays: (a) Substitution of a lens
marked ``Brake'' for a lens with an ECE symbol on the brake failure
indicator lamp; (b) recalibration of the speedometer/odometer from
kilometers to miles per hour.
Standard No. 108 Lamps, Reflective Devices and Associated
Equipment: (a) Installation of U.S.-model headlamp assemblies which
incorporate sealed beam headlamps and front sidemarkers; (b)
installation of U.S.-model taillamp assemblies which incorporate rear
sidemarkers; (c) installation of a high mounted stop lamp.
Standard No. 110 Tire Selection and Rims: installation of a tire
information placard.
Standard No. 111 Rearview Mirror: replacement of the passenger side
rearview mirror, which is convex but lacks the required warning
statement.
Standard No. 114 Theft Protection: installation of a buzzer
microswitch in the steering lock assembly, and a warning buzzer.
Standard No. 115 Vehicle Identification Number: installation of a
VIN plate that can be read from outside the left windshield pillar, and
a VIN reference label on the edge of the door or latch post nearest the
driver.
Standard No. 208 Occupant Crash Protection: (a) installation of a
seat belt warning buzzer; (b) replacement of the existing Type 1 rear
seat belts with U.S.-model belts equipped with retractors.
Standard No. 214 Side Door Strength: installation of reinforcing
beams.
Standard No. 301 Fuel System Integrity: installation of a rollover
valve in the fuel tank vent line between the fuel tank and the
evaporative emissions collection canister.
Additionally, the petitioner states that the bumpers on the 1988
Volkswagen Golf Rallye must be reinforced to comply with the Bumper
Standard found in 49 CFR part 581.
Interested persons are invited to submit comments on the petition
described above. Comments should refer to the docket number and be
submitted to: Docket Section, National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration, room 5109, 400 Seventh Street, 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: 15 U.S.C. 1397(c)(3) (A)(i)(I) and (C)(ii); 49 CFR
593.8; delegations of authority at 49 CFR 1.50 and 501.8.
Issued on: April 29, 1994.
William A. Boehly,
Associate Administrator for Enforcement.
[FR Doc. 94-10763 Filed 5-4-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-59-M
