[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 14 (Tuesday, January 22, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 2952-2953]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-1512]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

[Docket No. NHTSA-2001-11210]


Notice of Receipt of Petition for Decision That Nonconforming 
1991 Cadillac Seville Passenger Cars Are Eligible for Importation

AGENCY: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of receipt of petition for decision that nonconforming 
1991 Cadillac Seville 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 
1991 Cadillac Seville 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 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 February 21, 
2002.

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 a.m. 
to 5 p.m.].

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

[[Page 2953]]

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 1991 Cadillac Seville passenger cars originally manufactured 
for the European and other foreign markets are eligible for importation 
into the United States. The vehicles which WETL believes are 
substantially similar are 1991 Cadillac Seville passenger cars that 
were manufactured for sale in the United States and certified by their 
manufacturer, General Motors Corporation, as conforming to all 
applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standards.
    The petitioner claims that it carefully compared non-U.S. certified 
1991 Cadillac Seville 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 1991 Cadillac Seville passenger 
cars, as originally manufactured, conform to many Federal motor vehicle 
safety standards in the same manner as their U.S. certified 
counterparts, or are capable of being readily altered to conform to 
those standards.
    Specifically, the petitioner claims that non-U.S. certified 1991 
Cadillac Seville 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, 110 Tire Selection 
and Rims, 113 Hood Latch Systems, 116 Brake Fluid, 118 Power Window 
Systems, 124 Accelerator Control Systems, 201 Occupant Protection in 
Interior Impact, 202 Head Restraints, 203 Impact Protection for the 
Driver from the Steering Control System, 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, 
301 Fuel System Integrity, and 302 Flammability of Interior Materials.
    Additionally, the petitioner states that non-U.S. certified 1991 
Cadillac Seville passenger cars comply with the Bumper Standard found 
in 49 CFR part 581 and with the Vehicle Identification Number plate 
requirement of 49 CFR part 565.
    Petitioner also contends that the non-U.S. certified 1991 Cadillac 
Seville passenger cars are not identical to their U.S. certified 
counterparts, as specified below, but still comply with the following 
Standard in the manner indicated:
    Standard No. 101  Controls and Displays: the speedometer indicates 
both kilometers per hour and mile per hour. The odometer indicates 
kilometers and is labeled as such. The brake warning indicator meets 
the requirements.
    Petitioner further contends that the vehicles are capable of being 
readily altered to meet the following standards, in the manner 
indicated:
    Standard No. 108  Lamps, Reflective Devices and Associated 
Equipment: removal and replacement of the headlamps and tail lamps with 
U.S.-model components.
    Standard No. 111  Rearview Mirror:  inscription of the required 
warning statement on the passenger side rearview mirror by applying to 
the mirror's face a photomask template bearing the required wording and 
sandblasting, with a mini-sandblaster, the photomasked area with 150 
grit aluminum oxide.
    Standard No. 114  theft Protection:  installation of an audible 
warning device that will be activated whenever the key is left in the 
ignition and the driver's door is opened.
    The petitioner also states that a certification label must be 
affixed to the driver's side door jamb to meet the requirements of 49 
CFR part 567.
    Standard No. 208  Occupant Crash Protection:  installation of a 
seat belt warning buzzer module, wired to the driver's seat belt latch. 
The petitioner states that the vehicle is equipped with U.S.-model 
driver's and passenger's side air bags and knee bolsters, and with Type 
II seat belts at all front and rear outboard seating positions.
    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 vehicle that are not so 
equipped will be modified to comply with the Theft Prevention Standard 
at 49 CFR part 541.
    The petitioner states that the vehicles will also require the 
installation of a certification label in the driver's side door jamb 
that meets the requirements of 49 CFR part 567.
    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: January 16, 2002.
Harry Thompson,
Acting Director, Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance.
[FR Doc. 02-1512 Filed 1-18-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-59-P