[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 195 (Friday, October 6, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 59889-59890]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-25696]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

[Docket No. NHTSA-2000-7965]


Notice of Receipt of Petition for Decision That Nonconforming 
1999-2000 Porsche 911 GT3 Passenger Cars Are Eligible for Importation

AGENCY: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of receipt of petition for decision that nonconforming 
1999-2000 Porsche 911 GT3 passenger cars are eligible for importation.

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SUMMARY: This document announces receipt by the National Highway 
Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) of a petition for a decision that 
1999-2000 Porsche 911 GT3 passenger cars that were not originally 
manufactured to comply with all applicable Federal motor vehicle safety 
standards are eligible for importation into the United States because 
(1) they are substantially similar to vehicles that were originally 
manufactured for importation into and sale in the United States and 
that were certified by their manufacturer as complying with the safety 
standards, and (2) they are capable of being readily altered to conform 
to the standards.

DATES: The closing date for comments on the petition is November 6, 
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 
(``WETL'')(Registered Importer 90-005) has petitioned NHTSA to decide 
whether 1999-2000 Porsche 911 GT3 passenger cars are eligible for 
importation into the United States. The vehicles which WETL believes 
are substantially similar are 1999-2000 Porsche 911 passenger cars that 
were manufactured for importation into, and sale in, the United States 
and certified by their manufacturer as conforming to all applicable 
Federal motor vehicle safety standards.
    The petitioner claims that it carefully compared non-U.S. certified 
1999-2000 Porsche 911 GT3 passenger cars to their U.S.-certified 
counterparts, and found the vehicles to be substantially similar with 
respect to compliance with most Federal motor vehicle safety standards.
    WETL submitted information with its petition intended to 
demonstrate that non-U.S. certified 1999-2000 Porsche 911 GT3 passenger 
cars, as originally manufactured, conform to many Federal motor vehicle 
safety standards in the same manner as their U.S. certified

[[Page 59890]]

counterparts, or are capable of being readily altered to conform to 
those standards.
    Specifically, the petitioner claims that non-U.S. certified 1999-
2000 Porsche 911 GT3 passenger cars are identical to their U.S. 
certified counterparts 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, 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, 216 Roof Crush 
Resistance, 219 Windshield Zone Intrusion, and 302 Flammability of 
Interior Materials.
    Petitioner also contends that the vehicles are capable of being 
readily altered to meet the following standards, in the manner 
indicated:
    Standard No. 101 Controls and Displays: installation of a brake 
warning indicator if the vehicles are not already so equipped. The 
petitioner states that the vehicles are equipped with a digital 
speedometer which is capable of providing readings in kilometers or 
miles per hours. Although this unit is not identical to the one 
installed on U.S.-certified models, the petitioner contends that it 
meets the requirements of the standard.
    Standard No. 108 Lamps, Reflective Devices and Associated 
Equipment: (a) Replacement of the taillight lenses with lenses that 
conform to the standard; (b) installation of left and right sidemarker 
lights. The petitioner states that the vehicles are equipped with 
headlight assemblies which bear DOT markings certifying that they meet 
the standard, even thought those assemblies are not identical to the 
ones installed on U.S. certified models. The petitioner also states 
that the vehicles are equipped at the factory with a high mounted stop 
lamp.
    Standard No. 110 Tire Selection and Rims: installation of a tire 
information placard.
    Standard No. 111 Rearview Mirror: replacement of the passenger side 
rearview mirror with a U.S.-model component on vehicles that are not 
already so equipped.
    Standard No. 114 Theft Protection: installation of a warning buzzer 
and a warning buzzer microswitch in the steering lock assembly.
    Standard No. 208 Occupant Crash Protection: (a) Replacement of the 
driver's seat belt latch and installation of a safety belt warning 
buzzer; (b) replacement of the driver's and passenger's side air bag 
system and knee bolsters with U.S.-model components on vehicles that 
are not already so equipped. The petitioner states that the vehicles 
are equipped at the front outboard seating positions with Type II seat 
belts.
    Standard No. 214 Side Impact Protection: The petitioner states that 
the vehicles have a lower ride height than U.S. certified models, with 
the approximate front bumper clearance height being 4 \9/16\ inches, as 
opposed to 8 inches on U.S. certified models, and the rear bumper 
clearance height being 9 inches, as opposed to 10 inches on U.S. 
certified models. The petitioner states that either the vehicles' coil 
springs will be replaced with ones identical to those found on U.S. 
certified models, or spring spacers will be added so that the vehicles 
have the same ride height as their U.S. certified counterparts.
    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 on vehicles that are not 
already so equipped.
    Additionally, the petitioner states that front and rear bumper 
shocks and rear bumper pads will be installed on non-U.S. certified 
1999-2000 Porsche 911 GT3 passenger cars so that they comply with the 
Bumper Standard found in 49 CFR part 581. The petitioner states that 
ride height issues will be resolved through modifications made to 
conform the vehicles to Standard No. 214.
    The petitioner also states that a vehicle identification number 
plate must be affixed to the vehicle to meet the requirements of 49 CFR 
part 565.
    Additionally, the petitioner states that all vehicles will be 
inspected prior to importation to ensure that they are equipped with 
U.S.-model anti-theft devices, and that all vehicles that are not so 
equipped will be modified to comply 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. [Docket hours are from 9 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: October 2, 2000.
Marilynne Jacobs,
Director, Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance.
[FR Doc. 00-25696 Filed 10-5-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-59-P