[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 202 (Tuesday, October 20, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 56063-56064]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-28125]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
[Docket No. NHTSA-98-4547]


Notice of Receipt of Petition for Decision That Nonconforming 
1996 Chrysler LHS Passenger Cars Are Eligible for Importation

AGENCY: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, DOT

ACTION: Notice of receipt of petition for decision that nonconforming 
1996 Chrysler LHS 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 1996 
Chrysler LHS that was not originally manufactured to comply with all 
applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standards is

[[Page 56064]]

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 November 19, 
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 1996 Chrysler LHS passenger cars manufactured in Mexico 
for the Mexican and other foreign markets are eligible for importation 
into the United States. The vehicle which Wallace believes is 
substantially similar is the 1996 Chrysler LHS 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 1996 Chrysler LHS 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 1996 Chrysler LHS, 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 
1996 Chrysler LHS is identical to its U.S. certified counterpart with 
respect to compliance with Standards Nos. 101 Controls and Displays, 
102 Transmission Shift Lever Sequence. . . ., 103 Defrosting and 
Defogging Systems, 104 Windshield Wiping and Washing Systems, 105 
Hydraulic Brake Systems, 106 Brake Hoses, 108 Lamps, Reflective Devices 
and Associated Equipment, 109 New Pneumatic Tires, 111 Rearview Mirror, 
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, 204 Steering 
Control Rearward Displacement, 205 Glazing Materials, 206 Door Locks 
and Door Retention Components, 207 Seating Systems, 208 Occupant Crash 
Protection (on basis that vehicles are equipped with factory-installed 
driver's and passenger's side air bags, with Type II seat belts in 
front and rear outboard seating positions, and with a lap belt in the 
rear center designated seating position), 209 Seat Belt Assemblies, 210 
Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages, 212 Windshield Retention, 214 Side 
Impact Protection, 216 Roof Crush Resistance, 219 Windshield Zone 
Intrusion, and 301 Fuel System Integrity, 302 Flammability of Interior 
Materials.
    Additionally, the petitioner states that the non-U.S. certified 
1996 Chrysler LHS complies with the Bumper Standard found in 49 CFR 
part 581.
    The petitioner also states that a vehicle identification number 
plate is affixed to the vehicle that meets the requirements of 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. 110 Tire Selection and Rims: Installation of a tire 
information placard.
    The petitioner finally states that all vehicles will be inspected 
prior to importation to assure compliance with the Theft Prevention 
Standard found in 49 CFR part 541.
    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. (Docket hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.). 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: October 15, 1998.
Marilynne Jacobs,
Director, Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance.
[FR Doc. 98-28125 Filed 10-19-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-59-P