[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 208 (Thursday, October 28, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 58126-58127]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-28100]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
[Docket No. NHTSA-99-6384]


Notice of Receipt of Petition for Decision That Nonconforming 
1994 Eagle Vision Passenger Cars Are Eligible for Importation

AGENCY: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of receipt of petition for decision that nonconforming 
1994 Eagle Vision 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 1994 
Eagle Vision 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 November 29, 
1999.

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 9 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

[[Page 58127]]

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 1994 Eagle Vision passenger cars originally manufactured 
in the United States for export to foreign markets are eligible for 
importation into the United States. The vehicle which Wallace believes 
is substantially similar is the 1994 Eagle Vision 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 1994 Eagle Vision 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 1994 Eagle Vision, 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 
1994 Eagle Vision is identical to its U.S. certified counterpart 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, 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, 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-US certified 1994 
Eagle Vision complies with the Bumper Standard found in 49 CFR part 
581.
    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) Replacement of the 
odometer/speedometer with units calibrated in miles/miles per hour on 
vehicles that are not already so equipped; (b) Inscription of the word 
``brake'' on the brake failure indicator lamp lens.
    Standard No. 108 Lamps, Reflective Devices and Associated 
Equipment: replacement of the headlights, taillights, and front and 
rear sidemarker assemblies with components that conform to the 
standard.
    Standard No. 110 Tire Selection and Rims: Installation of a tire 
information placard.
    Standard No. 208 Occupant Crash Protection: Installation of 
driver's and passenger's side airbags and knee bolsters. The petitioner 
states that the vehicle is equipped with Type 2 seat belts in front and 
rear outboard seating positions, and with a lap belt in the rear center 
designated seating position.
    The petitioner states that a vehicle identification number plate 
that meets the requirements of 49 CFR part 565 will be affixed to the 
vehicle if it is not already so equipped.
    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 9 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 22, 1999.
Marilynne Jacobs,
Director, Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance.
[FR Doc. 99-28100 Filed 10-27-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-59-P