[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 244 (Wednesday, December 18, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 66742-66743]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-32082]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
[Docket No. 96-125; Notice 1]


Notice of Receipt of Petition for Decision That Nonconforming 
1989 Alfa Romeo 164 Passenger Cars Are Eligible for Importation

AGENCY: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of receipt of petition for decision that nonconforming 
1989 Alfa Romeo 164 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 1989 
Alfa Romeo 164 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 January 17, 
1997.

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 a.m. to 4 p.m.]

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: George Entwistle, Office of Vehicle 
Safety Compliance, NHTSA (202-366-5306).

[[Page 66743]]

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Under 49 U.S.C. 30141(a)(1)(A), 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, 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 1989 Alfa 
Romeo 164 passenger cars are eligible for importation into the United 
States. The vehicle which Champagne believes is substantially similar 
is the 1989 Alfa Romeo Milano. Champagne has submitted information 
indicating that the manufacturer of the 1989 Alfa Romeo Milano 
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 1989 Alfa 
Romeo 164 to the 1989 Alfa Romeo Milano, 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 1989 Alfa Romeo 164, as originally manufactured, 
conforms to many Federal motor vehicle safety standards in the same 
manner as the 1989 Alfa Romeo Milano 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 1989 Alfa Romeo 164 is 
identical to the certified 1989 Alfa Romeo Milano 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, 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, 212 Windshield Retention, 216 Roof Crush 
Resistance, 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) inscription of the word 
``Brake'' on the brake failure indicator lamp lens; (b) installation of 
a seat belt warning lamp which 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; (b) 
installation of U.S.-model front and rear sidemarker/reflector 
assemblies; (c) installation of U.S.-model taillamp assemblies (d) 
installation of a high mounted stop lamp.
    Standard No. 110 Tire Selection and Rims: installation of a tire 
information placard.
    Standard No. 111 Rearview Mirrors: replacement of the convex 
passenger side rear view mirror.
    Standard No. 114 Theft Protection: installation of a warning buzzer 
microswitch in the steering lock assembly and a warning buzzer.
    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. 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 with 
combination lap and shoulder restraints that adjust by means of an 
automatic retractor and release by means of a single push button at 
each front designated seating position. Additionally, the petitioner 
states that the vehicle is equipped with combination lap and shoulder 
restraints that release by means of a single release button at each 
rear outboard designated seating position, and with a lap belt in the 
rear center designated seating position.
    Standard No. 214 Side Impact Protection: installation of 
reinforcing beams.
    Standard No. 301 Fuel System Integrity: installation of a rollover 
valve in the fuel tank vent line between the fuel tank and the 
evaporative emissions collection canister.
    Additionally, the petitioner states that the bumpers on the 1989 
Alfa Romeo 164 must be reinforced or replaced with U.S.-model 
components to comply with the Bumper Standard found in 49 CFR Part 581.
    The petitioner also states that a VIN plate must be installed on 
the vehicle so that it can be read from outside the left windshield 
pillar, and a VIN reference label must be installed on the edge of the 
door or latch post nearest the driver to meet the requirements of 49 
CFR Part 565.
    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 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: December 12, 1996.
Marilynne Jacobs,
Director, Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance.
[FR Doc. 96-32082 Filed 12-17-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-59-P