97-22604. Decision that Nonconforming 1993 Jeep Wrangler Multi-Purpose Passenger Vehicles are Eligible for Importation

[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 165 (Tuesday, August 26, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 45286-45287]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-22604]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
[Docket No. 97-24; Notice 2]


Decision that Nonconforming 1993 Jeep Wrangler Multi-Purpose 
Passenger Vehicles are Eligible for Importation

AGENCY: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of decision by NHTSA that nonconforming 1993 Jeep 
Wrangler multi-purpose passenger vehicles (MPVs) are eligible for 
importation.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces the decision by NHTSA that 1993 Jeep 
Wrangler MPVs manufactured for the Middle Eastern and other foreign 
markets that were not originally manufactured to comply with all 
applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standards are eligible for 
importation into the United States because they are substantially 
similar to a vehicle originally manufactured for sale in the United 
States and certified by its manufacturer as complying with the safety 
standards (the U.S.-certified 1993 Jeep Wrangler), and they are capable 
of being readily altered to conform to the standards.

DATES: This decision is effective August 26, 1997.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: George Entwistle, Office of Vehicle 
Safety Compliance, NHTSA (202-366-5306).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Under 49 U.S.C. Sec. 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. Sec. 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 
(Registered Importer R-90-005) petitioned NHTSA to decide whether 1993 
Jeep Wranglers are eligible for importation into the United States. 
NHTSA published notice of the petition on May 19, 1997 (62 FR 27290) to 
afford an opportunity for public comment. The reader is referred to 
that notice for a thorough description of the petition. No comments 
were received in response to the notice. Based on its review of the 
information submitted by the petitioner, NHTSA has decided to grant the 
petition.

Vehicle Eligibility Number for Subject Vehicles

    The importer of a vehicle admissible under any final decision must 
indicate on the form HS-7 accompanying entry the appropriate vehicle 
eligibility number indicating that the vehicle is eligible for entry. 
VSP-217 is the vehicle eligibility number assigned to vehicles 
admissible under this decision.

Final Decision

    Accordingly, on the basis of the foregoing, NHTSA hereby decides 
that a 1993 Jeep Wrangler not originally manufactured to comply with 
all applicable Federal motor vehicle safety

[[Page 45287]]

standards is substantially similar to a 1993 Jeep Wrangler originally 
manufactured for sale in the United States and certified under 49 
U.S.C. Sec. 30115, and is capable of being readily altered to conform 
to all applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standards.

    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: August 20, 1997.
Marilynne Jacobs,
Director, Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance.
[FR Doc. 97-22604 Filed 8-25-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-59-P