[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 98 (Monday, May 20, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 25267-25269]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-12635]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
[Docket No. 95-61; Notice 2]


Decision That Nonconforming 1992 Volvo 740 GL and 940 GL Sedan 
and Wagon Passenger Cars Are Eligible for Importation

AGENCY: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of decision by NHTSA that nonconforming 1992 Volvo 740 
GL and 940 GL Sedan and Wagon passenger cars are eligible for 
importation.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces the decision by NHTSA that 1992 Volvo 
740 GL and 940 GL Sedan and Wagon passenger cars not originally 
manufactured to comply with all applicable Federal motor vehicle safety 
standards are eligible for importation into the United States because 
they are substantially similar to vehicles originally manufactured for 
importation into and sale in the United States and certified by their 
manufacturer as complying with the safety standards (the U.S. certified 
versions of the 1992 Volvo 740 GL and 940 GL Sedan and Wagon), and they 
are capable of being readily altered to conform to the standards.

DATES: This decision is effective as of the date of its publication in 
the Federal Register.

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) 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.
    J.K. Motors of Kingsville, Maryland (``J.K.'') (Registered Importer 
R-90-006) petitioned NHTSA to decide whether 1992 Volvo 740 GL and 940 
GL Sedan and Wagon passenger cars are eligible for importation into the 
United States. NHTSA published notice of the petition on August 10, 
1995 (61 FR 40878) to afford an opportunity for public comment. The 
notice identified the vehicles which J.K. believes to be substantially 
similar as 1992 Volvo 740

[[Page 25268]]

GL and 940 GL sedans and wagons that were manufactured for importation 
into, and sale in, the United States and certified by their 
manufacturer as confirming to all applicable Federal motor vehicle 
safety standards.
    As noted in the notice of petition, the petitioner claimed that it 
had carefully compared non-U.S. certified 1992 Volvo 740 GL and 940 GL 
sedans and wagons to their U.S. certified counterparts, and found them 
to be substantially similar with respect to compliance with most 
applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standards.
    J.K. submitted information with its petition intended to 
demonstrate that non-U.S. certified 1992 Volvo 740 GL and 940 GL sedans 
and wagons, as originally manufactured, conform to many Federal motor 
vehicle safety standards in the same manner as their U.S. certified 
counterparts, or are capable of being readily altered to conform to 
those standards.
    Specifically, the petitioner claimed that non-U.S. certified 1992 
Volvo 740 GL and 940 GL sedans and wagons are identical to their U.S. 
certified counterparts 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, 
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 stated that non-U.S. certified 1992 
Volvo 740 GL and 940 GL sedans and wagons comply with the Bumper 
Standard found in 49 CFR Part 581.
    Petitioner also contended that these vehicles are 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.
    Standard No. 108  Lamps, Reflective Devices and Associated 
Equipment: (a) Installation of U.S.-model headlamps and front 
sidemarkers; (b) installation of U.S.-model taillamp lenses which 
incorporate rear sidemarkers; (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 microswitch and a warning buzzer in the steering lock assembly.
    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. 118  Power Window Systems: Installation of a relay in 
the power window system so that the window transport is inoperative 
when the ignition is switched off.
    Standard No. 208  Occupant Crash Protection: (a) Installation of a 
seat belt warning buzzer; (b) installation of knee bolsters to augment 
the vehicles' air bag based passive restraint systems, which otherwise 
conforms to the standard. The petitioner stated that in addition to a 
driver's side air bag, the vehicles are equipped with side impact 
protection systems, with manual lap and shoulder belts in the front and 
rear outboard seating positions, and with a manual lap belt in the 
center seating positions.
    One comment was received in response to the notice of petition, 
from Volvo Cars of North America, Inc. (``Volvo''), the United States 
representative of Volvo Car Corporation of Gothenburg, Sweden, the 
vehicle's manufacturer. In its comment, Volvo stated that in addition 
to the noncompliances noted in the petition, the 1992 Volvo 740 GL and 
940 GL Sedan and Wagon have a parking brake reminder light and, if so 
equipped, an anti-lock brake system light that do not comply with 
Standard No. 101. Volvo additionally asserted that none of the exterior 
lamps on these vehicles comply with Standard No. 108, and that their 
left (driver's) side outside mirror does not comply with Standard No. 
111. Volvo also observed that the vehicles' rear door locks do not 
comply with Standard No. 206 because they are capable of being opened 
with the inside door handle when locked. Volvo finally disputed the 
petitioner's contention that the vehicles comply with the Bumper 
Standard at 49 CFR Part 581, and asserted that they neither have U.S. 
model bumpers nor have they been tested for compliance with the 
standard.
    NHTSA accorded J.K. an opportunity to respond to Volvo's comments. 
In its response, J.K. stated that U.S. model components are substituted 
for all noncomplying dash controls and displays, so all reminder lights 
will meet Standard No. 101. J.K. additionally stated that all exterior 
lamps on the vehicles are changed so that they meet Standard No. 108 
after conversion. J.K. noted that the driver's side mirror assembly on 
European versions of the vehicles does not meet Standard No. 111, but 
that the same component on Saudi and Gulf State versions do. As a 
consequence, J.K. stated that mirrors may have to be replaced on non-
U.S. certified models on a case-by-case basis, based on the part 
numbers inscribed on those items. J.K. also acknowledged that the rear 
door locks on European versions of the vehicle will have to be changed 
to comply with Standard No. 206, and that the noncomplying components 
will be identified on a case-by-case basis by examining their part 
numbers. J.K. stated that the same procedure will be used to identify 
noncomplying bumpers on European versions of the vehicle, which it 
acknowledged must be reinforced or replaced with U.S. model components 
to meet Part 581. J.K. observed that the Saudi and Gulf States versions 
of the vehicle have U.S. model bumpers already installed.
    NHTSA has reviewed each of the issues that Volvo has raised 
regarding J.K.'s petition. NHTSA believes that J.K.'s responses 
adequately address each of those issues. NHTSA further notes that the 
modifications described by J.K. have been performed with relative ease 
on thousands of nonconforming vehicles imported over the years, and 
would not preclude the non-U.S. certified 1992 Volvo 740 GL and 940 GL 
Sedan and Wagon from being found ``capable of being readily modified to 
comply with all Federal motor vehicle safety standards.''
    NHTSA has accordingly decided to grant the petition.

Vehicle Eligibility Number for Subject Vehicles

    The importer of a vehicle admissible under any final decision must 
indicate on the form HS-7 accompanying entry the appropriate vehicle 
eligibility number indicating that the vehicle is eligible for entry. 
VSP-137 is the

[[Page 25269]]

vehicle eligibility number assigned to vehicles admissible under this 
decision.

Final Determination

    Accordingly, on the basis of the foregoing, NHTSA hereby decides 
that 1992 Volvo 740 GL and 940 GL Sedan and Wagon passenger cars not 
originally manufactured to comply with all applicable Federal motor 
vehicle safety standards are substantially similar to 1992 Volvo 740 GL 
and 940 GL Sedan and Wagon passenger cars originally manufactured for 
importation into and sale in the United States and certified under 49 
U.S.C. Sec. 30115, and are capable of being readily altered to conform 
to all applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standards.

    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: May 14, 1996.
Marilynne Jacobs,
Director, Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance.
[FR Doc. 96-12635 Filed 5-17-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-59-M