[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 98 (Monday, May 20, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 25269-25270]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-12636]



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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
[Docket No. 96-048; Notice 1]


Notice of Receipt of Petition for Decision That Nonconforming 
1984 Mitsubishi Pajero Passenger Cars Are Eligible for Importation

AGENCY: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of receipt of petition for decision that nonconforming 
1984 Mitsubishi Pajero 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 1984 
Mitsubishi Pajero 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 June 19, 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.
    Champagne Imports, Inc. of Lansdale, Pennsylvania (Registered 
Importer No. R-90-009) has petitioned NHTSA to decide whether 1984 
Mitsubishi Pajero passenger cars are eligible for importation into the 
United States. The vehicle which Champagne believes is substantially 
similar is the 1984 Mitsubishi Montero. Champagne has submitted 
information indicating that the manufacturer of the 1984 Mitsubishi 
Montero 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 1984 
Mitsubishi Pajero to the 1984 Mitsubishi Montero, and found the two 
models to be substantially similar with respect to compliance with most 
applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standards.
    Champagne submitted information with its petition intended to 
demonstrate that the 1984 Mitsubishi Pajero, as originally 
manufactured, conforms to many Federal motor vehicle safety standards 
in the same manner as the 1984 Mitsubishi Montero 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 1984 Mitsubishi Pajero 
is identical to the certified 1984 Mitsubishi Montero 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, 113  Hood Latch Systems, 116  Brake Fluid, 119  
New Pneumatic Tires for Vehicles other than Passenger Cars, 124  
Accelerator Control Systems, 201  Occupant Protection in Interior 
Impact, 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, 
219  Windshield Zone Intrusion, 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 a noncomplying symbol on the brake 
failure indicator lamp; (b) installation of a seat belt warning lamp 
that displays the appropriate symbol; (c) 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 headlamp assemblies which 
incorporate headlamps with DOT markings; (b) installation of front and 
rear sidemarker/reflector assemblies; (c) installation of U.S.-model 
taillamp assemblies.
    Standard No. 111  Rearview Mirrors: Replacement of the convex 
passenger side rear view mirror.
    Standard No. 114  Theft Protection: Installation of a buzzer 
microswitch in the steering lock assembly, and a warning buzzer.
    Standard No. 115  Vehicle Identification Number: Installation of a 
VIN plate that can be read from outside the left windshield pillar, and 
a VIN

[[Page 25270]]

reference label on the edge of the door or latch post nearest the 
driver.
    Standard No. 118  Power Window Systems: Rewiring of the power 
window system so that the window transport is inoperative when the 
ignition is switched off.
    Standard No. 120  Tire Selection and Rims for Motor Vehicles other 
than Passenger Cars: Installation of a tire information placard.
    Standard No. 208  Occupant Crash Protection: (a) Installation of a 
U.S.-model seat belt in the driver's position, or a belt webbing-
actuated microswitch inside the driver's seat belt retractor; (b) 
installation of an ignition switch-actuated seat belt warning lamp and 
buzzer. The petitioner states that the vehicle is equipped at each 
front designated seating position with a combination lap and shoulder 
restraint that adjusts by means of an automatic retractor and releases 
by means of a single push button. The petitioner further states that 
the vehicle is equipped with a combination lap and shoulder restraint 
that releases by means of a single push button at each rear outboard 
seating position, and with a lap belt at the rear center seating 
position.
    Standard No. 301  Fuel System Integrity: Installation of a rollover 
valve in the fuel tank vent line.
    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, S.W., 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 of 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 : May 14, 1996.
Marilynne Jacobs,
Director, Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance.
[FR Doc. 96-12636 Filed 5-17-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-59-M