[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 119 (Tuesday, June 20, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 38316-38317]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-15486]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

[Docket No. NHTSA-2000-7388]


Notice of Receipt of Petition for Decision That Nonconforming 
1992 Chrysler Daytona Passenger Cars Are Eligible for Importation

AGENCY: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, DOT

ACTION: Notice of receipt of petition for decision that nonconforming 
1992 Chrysler Daytona 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 1992 
Chrysler Daytona 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 July 20, 2000.

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 1992 Chrysler Daytona passenger cars manufactured for 
the European and other foreign markets are eligible for importation 
into the United States. The vehicle which Wallace believes is 
substantially similar is the 1992 Dodge Daytona 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 1992 Chrysler Daytona to the U.S. certified 1992 Dodge 
Daytona, and found the two

[[Page 38317]]

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 1992 Chrysler Daytona, as 
originally manufactured, conforms to many Federal motor vehicle safety 
standards in the same manner as the U.S. certified 1992 Dodge Daytona, 
or is capable of being readily altered to conform to those standards.
    Specifically, the petitioner claims that the non-U.S. certified 
1992 Chrysler Daytona 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, 109 New Pneumatic Tires, 113 
Hood Latch Systems, 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 302 Flammability of Interior Materials.
    Additionally, the petitioner states that the non-U.S. certified 
1992 Chrysler Daytona 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. 108 Lamps, Reflective Devices and Associated 
Equipment: (a) replacement of the headlight and taillight lenses with 
U.S.-model components; (b) installation of front and rear sidemarker 
lights; (c) replacement of the rear brake light with a functioning 
component.
    Standard No. 110 Tire Selection and Rims: installation of a tire 
information placard.
    Standard No. 111 Rearview Mirrors: inscription of the required 
warning statement in the passenger side rearview mirror.
    Standard No.114 Theft Protection: installation of a warning buzzer 
microswitch and a warning buzzer in the steering lock assembly.
    Standard No. 208 Occupant Crash Protection: (a) installation of a 
seat belt warning buzzer wired to the driver's seat belt latch; (b) 
installation of a U.S.-model driver's side air bag and knee bolster on 
vehicles that are not already so equipped. The petitioner states that 
the vehicles are equipped with Type II seat belts in both front and 
rear outboard designated seating positions, and with a lap belt in the 
rear center designated seating position.
    Standard No. 301 Fuel System Integrity: installation of a rollover 
valve in the fuel tank vent line between the fuel tank and the 
evaporative emissions collection canister.
    The petitioner also states that a vehicle identification number 
plate is affixed to the vehicle that meets the requirements of 49 CFR 
Part 565.
    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 am to 5 pm]. 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: June 14, 2000.
Marilynne Jacobs,
Director, Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance.
[FR Doc. 00-15486 Filed 6-19-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-59-P