[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 190 (Monday, October 3, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-24299]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: October 3, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
[Docket No. 94-80; Notice 1]

 

Ford Motor Company; Receipt of Application for Decision of 
Inconsequential Noncompliance

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) of Dearborn, Michigan has determined that 
some of its windows fail to comply with the labeling requirements of 49 
CFR 571.205, Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 205, 
``Glazing Materials,'' and has filed an appropriate report pursuant to 
49 CFR Part 573, ``Defect and Noncompliance Reports.'' Ford has also 
applied to be exempted from the notification and remedy requirements of 
49 U.S.C. Chapter 301--``Motor Vehicle Safety'' on the basis that the 
noncompliance is inconsequential to motor vehicle safety.
    This notice of receipt of an application is published under 49 
U.S.C. 30118 and 30120 (formerly Section 157 of the National Traffic 
and Motor Vehicle Safety Act (15 U.S.C. 1417)) and does not represent 
any agency decision or other exercise of judgement concerning the 
merits of the application.
    Standard No. 205, which incorporates, by reference, the American 
National Standards Institute's ``Safety Code for Safety Glazing 
Materials for Glazing Motor Vehicles Operating on Land Highways'' Z-
26.1-1977, January 26, 1977, as supplemented by Z26.1a, July 3, 1980 
(ANS Z26.1), specifies that typical automotive tempered glass with a 
luminous transmittance of less than 70 percent shall be labeled 
``AS3.''
    Ford manufactured approximately 1,820,000 quarter windows with a 
luminous transmittance of less than 70 percent for use in 1986 through 
1994 model year Ranger Supercab vehicles. These windows were labeled 
``AS2'' instead of ``AS3.'' Approximately 7,900 were located and 
scrapped. The remaining windows have been used in vehicle production or 
provided to aftermarket distributors for service replacement.
    For supports its application for inconsequential noncompliance with 
the following:

    [Ford believes that t]he incorrect marking presents no risk of 
accident or injury. The windows can be installed only as rear 
quarter windows in Ranger Supercab trucks; AS2 and S3 glazing are 
both appropriate for these applications in accordance with Standard 
205. In Ford's judgement, the mismarking is inconsequential as it 
relates to motor vehicle safety. The stated purposes of FMVSS No. 
205 are to reduce injuries resulting from impact to glazing 
surfaces, to ensure a necessary degree of transparency in motor 
vehicle windows for driver visibility, and to minimize the 
possibility of occupants being thrown through vehicle windows in 
collisions. As previously noted the affected quarter windows fully 
comply with the performance requirements of FMVSS No. 205. Because 
all performance requirements are met, the incorrect marking of the 
quarter windows has no effect upon the ability of the glazing to 
perform in the manner intended by the standard. Ford is not aware of 
any complaints, accidents, or injuries related to this condition.
    The mismarking should not cause confusion in glass replacement 
in vehicles in service. Aftermarket distributors do not use the 
marking to determine which glazing is used for replacement. Rather, 
replacement parts are determined by service part numbers which are 
obtained from cataloged listings. Further, we are not aware of any 
confusion in aftermarket servicing of vehicles as a result of this 
mismarking.

    Interested persons are invited to submit written data, views, and 
arguments on the application of Ford, 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, D.C., 20590. It is requested but not required 
that six copies be submitted.
    All comments received before the close of business on the closing 
date indicated below will be considered. The application and supporting 
materials, and all comments received after the closing date will also 
be filed and will be considered to the extent possible. When the 
application is granted or denied, the notice will be published in the 
Federal Register pursuant to the authority indicated below.

    Comment closing date: November 2, 1994.

    (15 U.S.C. 1417; delegations of authority at 49 CFR 1.50 and 
NHTSA Order 800-2)

    Issued on : September 27, 1994.
Stanley R. Scheiner,
Acting Associated Administrator for Rulemaking.
[FR Doc. 94-24299 Filed 9-30-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-59-M