[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 119 (Wednesday, June 19, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Page 31217]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-15525]



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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
[Docket No. 96-34; Notice 2]


Decision That Nonconforming 1985 Audi 200 Quattro Passenger Cars 
are Eligible for Importation

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

ACTION: Notice of decision by NHTSA that nonconforming 1985 Audi 200 
Quattro passenger cars are eligible for importation.

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

SUMMARY: This notice announces the decision by NHTSA that 1985 Audi 200 
Quattro 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 a vehicle originally manufactured for importation into and 
sale in the United States and certified by its manufacturer as 
complying with the safety standards (the 1985 Audi 5000S Turbo), and 
they are capable of being readily altered to conform to the standards.

DATES: This decision is effective as of June 19, 1996.

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.
    Champagne Imports, Inc. of Lansdale, Pennsylvania (``Champagne'') 
(Registered Importer 90-009) petitioned NHTSA to decide whether 1987 
Audi 200 Quattro passenger cars are eligible for importation into the 
United States. NHTSA published notice of the petition on April 5, 1996 
(61 FR 15334) to afford an opportunity for public comment. The reader 
is referred to that notice for a thorough description of the petition.
    One comment was received in response to the notice of the petition, 
from Volkswagen of America, Inc. (``Volkswagen''), the United States 
representative of Audi A.G., the vehicle's manufacturer. In this 
comment, Volkswagen stated that vehicle identification number (VIN) 
assigned to the specific vehicle that the petitioner seeks to import 
identifies that vehicle as a 1985 Audi 200 Quattro. Volkswagen further 
stated that in the 1985 model year, it imported into the United States 
a front wheel drive vehicle (the Audi 5000S Turbo) that was built on 
the same platform as the Audi 200 Quattro (all wheel drive) that was 
sold in Europe for the same model year. After being apprised of this 
comment, the petitioner acknowledged that the petition was in error, 
and that Volkswagen properly identified the vehicle's model year. In 
view of this correction, this notice identifies the vehicle that is the 
subject of the petition as the ``1985 Audi 200 Quattro,'' and the 
substantially similar comparison vehicle as the ``1985 Audi 5000S 
Turbo.''
    Volkswagen's only other comment was that the petition properly 
identified the standards to which the vehicle would have to be 
conformed to be eligible for importation into the United States. No 
other comments were received in response to the notice. Based on its 
review of the information submitted by the petitioner, NHTSA has 
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-160 is the vehicle eligibility number assigned to vehicles 
admissible under this notice of final decision.

Final Decision

    Accordingly, on the basis of the foregoing, NHTSA hereby decides 
that a 1985 Audi 200 Quattro is substantially similar to a 1985 Audi 
5000S Turbo originally manufactured for importation into and sale in 
the United States and certified under 49 U.S.C. Sec. 30115, and is 
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: June 13, 1996.
Marilynne Jacobs,
Director, Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance.
[FR Doc. 96-15525 Filed 6-18-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-59-P