[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 139 (Wednesday, July 19, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 44851-44852]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-18248]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

[Docket No. NHTSA-2000-7523]


Notice of Receipt of Petition for Decision That Nonconforming 
1997 Chevrolet Blazer 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 
1997 Chevrolet Blazer 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 1997 
Chevrolet Blazer manufactured for the European 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.

DATE: The closing date for comments on the petition is August 18, 2000.

ADDRESS: 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 
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 1997 Chevrolet Blazer MPVs 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 1997 Chevrolet Blazer that was manufactured for sale in the United 
States and certified by its manufacturer, General Motors Corporation, 
as conforming to all applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standards.
    The petitioner claims that it carefully compared the non-U.S. 
certified 1997 Chevrolet Blazer 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 1997 Chevrolet Blazer, 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 
1997 Chevrolet Blazer is identical to its U.S. certified counterpart 
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, 113 Hood Latch Systems, 114 Theft Protection, 116 Brake 
Fluid, 118 Power-Operated Window Systems, 119 New Pneumatic Tires, 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

[[Page 44852]]

Components, 207 Seating Systems, 209 Seat Belt Assemblies, 210 Seat 
Belt Assembly Anchorages, 212 Windshield Retention, 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: (a) installation of a 
conforming brake failure warning light on vehicles that are not already 
so equipped; (b) inspection of the speedometer and replacement, if 
necessary, with one reading in miles per hour.
    Standard No. 108 Lamps, Reflective Devices and Associated 
Equipment: inspection of all equipment subject to standard and 
replacement with U.S. model headlights, taillights, front and rear 
sidemarker light assemblies, and high mounted stop lamps on vehicles 
that are not already so equipped.
    Standard No. 111 Rearview Mirrors: replacement of the passenger 
side rearview mirror or inscription of the required warning statement 
on that mirror.
    Standard No. 120 Tire Selection and Rims: installation of a tire 
information placard.
    Standard No. 208 Occupant Crash Protection: installation of U.S.-
model driver's side air bag and knee bolster. The petitioner states 
that the vehicle is equipped with combination lap and shoulder belts in 
the front and rear outboard designated seating positions and with a lap 
belt in the center designated seating position.
    Standard No. 214 Side Impact Protection: inspection of all vehicles 
and installation of U.S. model door bars on vehicles that are not 
already so equipped.
    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.
    The petitioner also states that all vehicles will be inspected 
prior to importation and that parts identification markings will be 
added, where necessary to ensure compliance with the Theft Prevention 
Standard at 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. 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: July 13, 2000.
Marilynne Jacobs,
Director, Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance.
[FR Doc. 00-18248 Filed 7-18-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-59-P