[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 64 (Thursday, April 3, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 15968-15969]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-8522]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
[Docket No. 97-03; Notice 2]


Decision That Nonconforming 1987 and 1988 Toyota Van Multi-
Purpose Passenger Vehicles are Eligible for Importation

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

ACTION: Notice of decision by NHTSA that nonconforming 1987 and 1988 
Toyota Van multi-purpose passenger vehicles (MPVs) are eligible for 
importation.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces the decision by NHTSA that 1987 and 1988 
Toyota Van MPVs 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 version of the 
1987 and 1988 Toyota Van MPVs), and they are capable of being readily 
altered to conform to the standards.

DATES: This decision is effective as of April 3, 1997.

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), 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. Sec. 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.

[[Page 15969]]

    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 (Registered Importer R-90-006) 
petitioned NHTSA to decide whether 1987 and 1988 Toyota Van MPVs are 
eligible for importation into the United States. NHTSA published notice 
of the petition on January 27, 1997 (62 FR 3940) to afford an 
opportunity for public comment. The reader is referred to that notice 
for a thorough description of the petition. No 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-200 is the vehicle eligibility number assigned to vehicles 
admissible under this decision.

Final Decision

    Accordingly, on the basis of the foregoing, NHTSA hereby decides 
that 1987 and 1988 Toyota Van MPVs not originally manufactured to 
comply with all applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standards are 
substantially similar to 1987 and 1988 Toyota Van MPVs 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: March 27, 1997.
Marilynne Jacobs,
Director, Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance.
[FR Doc. 97-8522 Filed 4-2-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-59-P