[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 138 (Wednesday, July 20, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-17673]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: July 20, 1994]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
[Docket No. 94-55; Notice 1]

 

Receipt of Petition for Determination That Nonconforming 1994 
Volkswagen Golf III Passenger Cars Are Eligible for Importation

AGENCY: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of receipt of petition for determination that 
nonconforming 1994 Volkswagen Golf III passenger cars are eligible for 
importation.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This notice announces receipt by the National Highway Traffic 
Safety Administration (NHTSA) of a petition for a determination that a 
1994 Volkswagen Golf III 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 August 19, 
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 Street 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 49 U.S.C. 30141(a)(1)(A) (formerly section 108(c)(3)(A)(i)(I) 
of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act (the Act)), 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 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 49 U.S.C. 30115 (formerly 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.
    J.K. Motors of Kingsville, Maryland (``J.K.'') (Registered Importer 
No. R-90-006) has petitioned NHTSA to determine whether 1994 Volkswagen 
Golf III passenger cars are eligible for importation into the United 
States. The vehicle which J.K. believes is substantially similar is the 
1994 Volkswagen Golf III that was manufactured for importation into, 
and sale in, the United States and certified by its manufacturer, 
Volkswagenwerke A.G., as conforming to all applicable Federal motor 
vehicle safety standards.
    The petitioner claims that it carefully compared the non-U.S. 
certified 1994 Volkswagen Golf III 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.
    J.K. submitted information with its petition intended to 
demonstrate that the non-U.S. certified 1994 Volkswagen Golf III, 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 modified to conform to those standards.
    Specifically, the petitioner claims that the non-U.S. certified 
1994 Volkswagen Golf III is identical to its U.S. certified counterpart 
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, 214 Side Door Strength, 
216 Roof Crush Resistance, 219 Windshield Zone Intrusion, 301 Fuel 
System Integrity, 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; (d) 
replacement of bulb failure modules with U.S.-model components.
    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 with a U.S.-model component.
    Standard No. 114 Theft Protection: installation of a key 
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, wired to the seatbelt latch; (b) installation 
of a passive restraint system consisting of door-anchored automatic 
belts and a knee bolster. The petitioner notes that the non-U.S. 
certified 1994 Volkswagen Golf III is supplied with mounting points and 
bolt holes for the installation of this equipment and that no 
structural changes are necessary.
    Additionally, the petitioner states that bumper shocks must be 
installed on the non-U.S. certified 1994 Volkswagen Golf III to comply 
with the Bumper Standard found in 49 CFR Part 581. The petitioner 
further notes that it may be necessary to install a U.S.-model bumper 
cover on some vehicles to accommodate the marker lights.
    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: 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: July 14, 1994.
William A. Boehly,
Associate Administrator for Enforcement.
[FR Doc. 94-17673 Filed 7-19-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-59-M