[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 36 (Thursday, February 22, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 6891-6892]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-4015]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
[Docket No. 96-11; Notice 1]


Notice of Receipt of Petition for Decision That Nonconforming 
1990 Porsche 944 S2 2-Door Hatchback 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 2-door hatchback passenger cars 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 1990 
Porsche 944 S2 2-door hatchback 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 March 25, 1996.

ADDRESS: 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:
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.
    LPC of New York, Inc. of Ronkonkoma, New York (``LPC'') (Registered 
Importer 96-100) has petitioned NHTSA to decide whether 1990 Porsche 
944 S2 2-door hatchback passenger cars are eligible for importation 
into the United States. The vehicle which LPC believes is substantially 
similar is the 1990 Porsche 944 S2 2-door hatchback 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 2-door hatchback 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.
    LPC submitted information with its petition intended to demonstrate 
that the non-U.S. certified 1990 Porsche 944 S2 2-door hatchback, 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 2-door hatchback 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, 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 non-U.S. certified 
1990 Porsche 944 S2 2-door hatchback 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. 101 Controls and Displays: (a) Placement of the 
appropriate symbols on the brake failure, parking brake, and seat belt 
warning lamps; (b) replacement of the speedometer/odometer with a U.S.-
model component calibrated in miles per hour.
    Standard No. 108 Lamps, Reflective Devices and Associated 
Equipment: (a) Installation of U.S.-model headlamp assemblies; (b) 
installation of U.S.-model taillamps; (c) 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: Replacement of the passenger side 
rearview mirror with a U.S.-model component.
    Standard No. 114 Theft Protection: Installation of a warning buzzer 
in the steering lock electrical circuit.
    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: Installation of a seat 
belt warning buzzer. The petitioner states 

[[Page 6892]]
that the vehicle is equipped with an automatic restraint system 
consisting of an air bag and knee bolster that have part numbers 
identical to those on its U.S. certified counterpart.
    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: February 16, 1996.
Marilynne Jacobs,
Director, Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance.
[FR Doc. 96-4015 Filed 2-21-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-59-M