[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 215 (Tuesday, November 8, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-27600]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: November 8, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
[Docket No. 94-89; Notice 1]

 

Notice of Receipt of Petition for Decision That Nonconforming 
1990 Porsche 944 S2 Cabriolet Convertible Passenger Cars Are Eligible 
for Importation

AGENCY: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of receipt of petition for decision that nonconforming 
1990 Porsche 944 S2 Cabriolet convertible passenger cars are eligible 
for importation.
SUMMARY: This notice announces receipt by the National Highway Traffic 
Safety Administration (NHTSA) of a petition for a decision that a 1990 
Porsche 944 S2 Cabriolet convertible 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 altered to conform to 
the standards.

DATES: The closing date for comments on the petition is December 8, 
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 49 U.S.C. Sec. 30141(a)(1)(A) (formerly section 
108(c)(3)(A)(i)(I) of the National Highway Traffic 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 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. 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 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 
(``Wallace'') (Registered Importer 90-005) has petitioned NHTSA to 
decide whether 1990 Porsche 944 S2 Cabriolet convertible passenger cars 
are eligible for importation into the United States. The vehicle which 
Wallace believes is substantially similar is the 1990 Porsche 944 S2 
Cabriolet convertible that was manufactured for importation into, and 
sale in, the United States and certified by its manufacturer as 
conforming to all applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standards.
    The petitioner claims that it carefully compared the non-U.S. 
certified 1990 Porsche 944 S2 Cabriolet convertible 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.
    Wallace submitted information with its petition intended to 
demonstrate that the non-U.S. certified 1990 Porsche 944 S2 Cabriolet 
convertible, 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 altered to conform to those 
standards.
    Specifically, the petitioner claims that the non-U.S. certified 
1990 Porsche 944 S2 Cabriolet convertible 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, 112 Headlamp Concealment Devices, 113 Hood Latch 
Systems, 116 Brake Fluid, 118 Power-Operated Window Systems, 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, 
and 302 Flammability of Interior Materials.
    Petitioner also contends that the vehicle is capable of being 
readily altered 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, or replacement of the speedometer/
odometer with the U.S.-model component.
    Standard No. 108 Lamps, Reflective Devices and Associated 
Equipment: (a) replacement of the headlamp assemblies with the U.S.-
model component and installation of U.S.-model retaining rings and 
wiring harness; (b) 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: required warning statement must 
be permanently etched onto the face of the passenger side rearview 
mirror.
    Standard No. 114 Theft Protection: installation of a warning buzzer 
microswitch and a warning buzzer in the ignition switch.
    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) Replacement of the 
driver's seat belt latch with one containing a seat belt warning 
microswitch and installation of a seat belt warning system; (b) 
installation of a U.S.-model passive restraint system. The petitioner 
states that the modifications necessary to install such a restraint 
system include replacement of the steering wheel with a U.S.-model 
component, installation of a control unit with wiring harness and 
contact support, installation of two vehicle impact sensors and 
driver's and passenger's side air bags, and replacement of the 
dashboard with one that incorporates driver's and passenger's side knee 
bolsters. The petitioner further states the non-U.S. certified 1990 
Porsche 944 S2 Cabriolet convertible is designed so that an air bag 
system can be readily installed, without the need for structural 
modifications. The petitioner also notes that the non-U.S. certified 
1990 Porsche 944 S2 Cabriolet convertible is equipped with Type II seat 
belts in all four seating positions, and that it complies with the 
standard's requirements for rear seating positions.
    Additionally, the petitioner states that U.S.-model shock absorbers 
must be installed behind the front and rear bumpers 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 Station, 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: November 2, 1994.
William A. Boehly,
Associate Administrator for Enforcement.
[FR Doc. 94-27600 Filed 11-7-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-59-M