[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: 94-24300]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: October 3, 1994]


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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
[Docket No. 94-79; Notice 1]

 

General Motors Corporation; Receipt of Application for Decision 
of Inconsequential Noncompliance

    General Motors Corporation (GM) of Warren, Michigan, has determined 
that some of its vehicles fail to comply with 49 CFR 571.209, Federal 
Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 209, ``Seat Belt 
Assemblies,'' and has filed an appropriate report pursuant to 49 CFR 
Part 573, ``Defect and Noncompliance Reports.'' GM 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 judgment concerning the merits 
of the application.
    Paragraph S4.6(b) of FMVSS No. 209 states that a seat belt assembly 
shall be labeled with the following statement:

    This seat belt assembly is for use only in [insert specific 
seating position(s), e.g., `front right'] in [insert specific 
vehicles make(s) and model(s)].

    GM produced two different populations of vehicles which do not meet 
the labeling requirements stated in the standard. The first population 
of vehicles, 68,405 1994 model year Chevrolet and GMC G-vans, were 
built with left-side seat belt assemblies that were labeled as right-
side assemblies.
    The second population of vehicles, 31,978 1992-94 model year 
Chevrolet and GMC K20753 extended cap pickups, were built with front 
outboard seat belt assemblies with the appropriate model designation 
omitted. The model designation is K20753.
    GM supports its application for inconsequential noncompliance with 
the following.

    For both these issues, the GM part numbers and manufacturer's 
model numbers correctly identify the affected seat belt assemblies. 
In addition, the service parts manuals correctly specify the proper 
part numbers if replacement parts were needed. In the case of the G-
van seat belt assemblies, it is not possible to install the left 
front seat belt assembly at the right front position. For the K 
20753 model, the issue is the omission of an appropriate model. 
Usage of the seat belt assembly in any of the models identified on 
the label is appropriate, as would be usage in the K 20753.
    It is GM's understanding that the purposed of the subject 
requirement was to provide the person replacing a seat belt assembly 
in a vehicle with appropriate seat position and vehicle model 
information. However, original equipment seat belt assemblies have 
already been installed in the appropriate models and positions at 
the assembly plant. The Agency stated in a recent rulemaking 
proposal (Docket 74-14; Notice 81, dated May 10, 1993), ``* * * that 
seat belt assemblies installed as original equipment in new motor 
vehicles need not be required to be labeled with position model 
information. This information is only useful if the assembly is 
removed with the intention of using the assembly as a replacement in 
another vehicle. NHTSA does not believe this is a common practice.'' 
GM agrees and believes that the removal of original equipment seat 
belt assemblies for the purpose of replacement installation in 
another vehicle is rare. The Agency finalized that rulemaking action 
on April 15, 1994, eliminating the required label verbiage on seat 
belt assemblies installed as original equipment by vehicle 
manufacturers.

    Interested persons are invited to submit written data, views, and 
arguments on the application of GM, 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 six copies be submitted.
    All comments received before the close of business on the closing 
date indicate below 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.

(49 U.S.C. 30118, 30120 delegations of authority at 49 CFR 1.50 and 
NHTSA Order 800-2)

    Issued on: September 27, 1994.
Stanley R. Scheiner,
Acting Associate Administrator for Rulemaking.
[FR Doc. 94-24300 Filed 9-30-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-59-M