[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 71 (Tuesday, April 14, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 18248-18249]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-9723]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
[Docket No. NHTSA-98-3710]


Notice of Receipt of Petition for Decision That Nonconforming 
1993 Jeep Cherokee Multi-Purpose Passenger Vehicles Are Eligible for 
Importation

AGENCY: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of receipt of petition for decision that nonconforming 
1993 Jeep Cherokee multi-purpose passenger vehicles (MPVs) 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 1993 
Jeep Cherokee manufactured for the Middle Eastern and other foreign 
markets 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 May 14, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Comments should refer to the docket number and notice 
number, and be submitted to: Docket Management, Room PL-401, 400 
Seventh St., SW, Washington, DC 20590. [Docket hours are from 10 am to 
5 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), 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.
    Wallace Environmental Testing Laboratories, Inc., of Houston, Texas 
(``Wallace'') (Registered Importer 90-005) has petitioned NHTSA to 
decide whether 1993 Jeep Cherokee MPVs manufactured for the Middle 
Eastern and other foreign markets are eligible for importation into the 
United States. The vehicle which Wallace believes is substantially 
similar is the 1993 Jeep Cherokee 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 1993 Jeep Cherokee to its U.S. certified counterpart, and 
found the two vehicles to be substantially similar with respect to 
compliance with most Federal motor vehicle safety standards.
    Wallace submitted information with its petition intended to 
demonstrate that the non-U.S. certified 1993 Jeep Cherokee, as 
originally manufactured, conforms to many Federal motor vehicle safety 
standards in the same manner as its U.S. certified counterpart, or is 
capable of being readily altered to conform to those standards.
    Specifically, the petitioner claims that the non-U.S. certified 
1993 Jeep Cherokee is identical to its U.S. certified counterpart with 
respect to compliance

[[Page 18249]]

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, 113 Hood Latch 
Systems, 116 Brake Fluid, 119 New Pneumatic Tires, 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, 214 Side Impact Protection, 216 Roof Crush 
Resistance, 219 Windshield Zone Intrusion, 301 Fuel System Integrity, 
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: inscription of the word 
``Brake'' on the brake failure warning light.
    Standard No. 108 Lamps, Reflective Devices and Associated 
Equipment: (a) replacement of the taillight assemblies with U.S.-model 
components that incorporate rear sidemarkers; (b) installation of a 
high mounted stop lamp.
    Standard No. 111 Rearview Mirrors: inscription of the required 
warning statement on the passenger side rearview mirror.
    Standard No. 114 Theft Protection: installation of a warning device 
that activates whenever the key is left in the ignition and the 
driver's door is opened.
    Standard No. 120 Tire Selection and Rims: installation of a tire 
information placard.
    Standard No. 208 Occupant Crash Protection: installation of a seat 
belt warning system with a flashing light that displays the appropriate 
symbol.
    Additionally, the petitioner states that a vehicle identification 
number plate must be affixed to the vehicle 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 Management, Room PL-401, 400 Seventh St., SW, 
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: April 8, 1998.
Marilynne Jacobs,
Director, Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance.
[FR Doc. 98-9723 Filed 4-13-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-59-P