[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 36 (Thursday, February 22, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 6889-6890]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-4014]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
[Docket No. 96-12; Notice 1]


Notice of Receipt of Petition for Decision That Nonconforming 
1995 Chevrolet 400 SS Pickup Trucks Are Eligible for Importation

AGENCY: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of receipt of petition for decision that nonconforming 
1995 Chevrolet 400 SS pickup trucks manufactured for the Mexican market 
are eligible for importation.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces receipt by the National Highway Traffic 
Safety Administration (NHTSA) of a petition for a decision that a 1995 
Chevrolet 400 SS pickup truck manufactured for the Mexican market 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 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 March 25, 1996.

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:
George Entwistle, 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 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 No. R-90-005) has petitioned NHTSA 
to decide whether 1995 Chevrolet 400 SS pickup trucks manufactured for 
the Mexican market are eligible for importation into the United States. 
The vehicle which Wallace believes is substantially similar is the 1995 
Chevrolet C1500. Wallace has submitted information indicating that 
General Motors Corporation, the company that manufactured the 1995 
Chevrolet C1500, certified that vehicle as conforming to all applicable 
Federal motor vehicle safety standards and offered it for sale in the 
United States.
    The petitioner contends that it carefully compared the 1995 
Chevrolet 400 SS to the 1995 Chevrolet C1500, and found the two models 
to be substantially similar with respect to compliance with most 
applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standards.
    Wallace submitted information with its petition intended to 
demonstrate that the 1995 Chevrolet 400 SS, as originally manufactured, 
conforms to many Federal motor vehicle safety standards in the same 
manner as the 1995 Chevrolet C1500 that was offered for sale in the 
United States, or is capable of being readily altered to conform to 
those standards.
    Specifically, the petitioner claims that the 1995 Chevrolet 400 SS 
is identical to the certified 1995 Chevrolet C1500 with respect to 
compliance with Standards Nos. 101 Controls and Displays, 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, 108 Lamps, 
Reflective Devices and Associated Equipment, 109 New Pneumatic Tires, 
111 Rearview Mirrors, 113 Hood Latch Systems, 114 Theft Protection, 115 
Vehicle Identification Number, 116 Brake Fluid, 118 Power 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 Impact Protection, 216 Roof Crush 
Resistance, 219 Windshield Zone Intrusion, 301 Fuel System Integrity, 
and 302 Flammability of Interior Materials.
    Additionally, the petitioner states that the 1995 Chevrolet 400 SS 
complies with the Bumper Standard found in 49 CFR part 581.
    Petitioner also contends that the vehicle is capable of being 
readily altered to meet the following standards, in the manner 
indicated:
    Standard No. 120 Tire Selection and Rims: installation of a tire 
information placard.
    Standard No. 208 Occupant Crash Protection: installation of an 
automatic restraint system consisting of a driver's side air bag and 
knee bolster. The petitioner states that the vehicle is equipped with 
Type 2 seat belts in both outboard seating positions.
    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.


[[Page 6890]]

    Issued on: February 16, 1996.
Marilynne Jacobs,
Director, Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance.
[FR Doc. 96-4014 Filed 2-21-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-59-M