[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 101 (Tuesday, May 27, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 28753-28754]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-13740]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
[Docket No. 97-032; Notice 1]


Notice of Receipt of Petition for Decision That Nonconforming 
1989 Chrysler Shadow Passenger Cars Are Eligible for Importation

AGENCY: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of receipt of petition for decision that nonconforming 
1989 Chrysler Shadow 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 
Chrysler Shadow manufactured for the Middle Eastern market 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 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 26, 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).

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

[[Page 28754]]

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.
    J.K. Motors of Kingsville, Maryland (``J.K.'') (Registered Importer 
90-006) has petitioned NHTSA to decide whether 1989 Chrysler Shadow 
passenger cars manufactured for the Middle Eastern market are eligible 
for importation into the United States. The vehicle which J.K. believes 
is substantially similar is the 1989 Dodge Shadow that was manufactured 
for sale in the United States and certified by its manufacturer, 
Chrysler Corporation, as conforming to all applicable Federal motor 
vehicle safety standards.
    The petitioner claims that it carefully compared the non-U.S. 
certified 1989 Chrysler Shadow to the 1989 Dodge Shadow, and found the 
two vehicles to be substantially similar with respect to compliance 
with most Federal motor vehicle safety standards.
    J.K. submitted information with its petition intended to 
demonstrate that the non-U.S. certified 1989 Chrysler Shadow, as 
originally manufactured, conforms to many Federal motor vehicle safety 
standards in the same manner as the 1989 Dodge Shadow, or is capable of 
being readily altered to conform to those standards.
    Specifically, the petitioner claims that the non-U.S. certified 
1989 Chrysler Shadow is identical to the 1989 Dodge Shadow with respect 
to compliance with Standard 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, 114 Theft Protection, 116 
Brake Fluid, 118 Power Window Systems, 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, 208 Occupant 
Crash Protection, 209 Seat Belt Assemblies, 210 Seat Belt Assembly 
Anchorages, 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 states that the non-U.S. certified 
1989 Chrysler Shadow complies with the Bumper Standard found in 49 CFR 
Part 581 and the requirements for vehicle identification number plates 
found in 49 CFR Part 565.
    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) replacement of the speedometer with a unit 
calibrated in miles per hour.
    Standard No. 108 Lamps, Reflective Devices and Associated 
Equipment: (a) installation of U.S.-model sealed headlamps and front 
sidemarker lights; (b) installation of U.S.-model taillamp assemblies 
which incorporate rear sidemarker lights; (c) installation of a U.S.-
model 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.
    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: May 20, 1997.
Marilynne Jacobs,
Director Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance.
[FR Doc. 97-13740 Filed 5-23-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-59-P