[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 86 (Friday, May 3, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 22498-22499]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-11051]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

[Docket No. NHTSA-2002-12140]


Notice of Receipt of Petition for Decision that Nonconforming 
1997 and 1998 Ferrari 456 GT and GTA Passenger Cars Are Eligible for 
Importation

AGENCY: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of receipt of petition for decision that nonconforming 
1997 and 1998 Ferrari 456 GT and GTA 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 
1997 and 1998 Ferrari 456 GT and GTA 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 June 3, 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 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.
    G&K Automotive Conversion, Inc. of Santa Anna, California (``G&K'') 
(Registered Importer 90-007) has petitioned NHTSA to decide whether 
1997 and 1998 Ferrari 456 GT and GTA passenger cars are eligible for 
importation into the United States. The vehicles which G&K believes are 
substantially similar are 1997 and 1998 Ferrari 456 GT and GTA 
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.

[[Page 22499]]

    The petitioner claims that it carefully compared non-U.S. certified 
1997 and 1998 Ferrari 456 GT and GTA 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.
    G&K submitted information with its petition intended to demonstrate 
that non-U.S. certified 1997 and 1998 Ferrari 456 GT and GTA 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 1997 
and 1998 Ferrari 456 GT and GTA 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, 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, 
301 Fuel System Integrity, 301 Fuel System Integrity, 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: (a) Substitution of the 
word ``Brake'' for the ECE warning symbol on the markings for the brake 
failure indicator lamp; (b) replacement of the speedometer with one 
calibrated in miles per hour. The petitioner states that the entire 
instrument cluster will be replaced with a U.S.-model component, 
resulting in the seat belt warning symbol and other warning emblems 
reading appropriately in English.
    Standard No. 108 Lamps, Reflective Devices and Associated 
Equipment: (a) Installation of U.S.-model headlamp assemblies; (b) 
installation of U.S.-model front and rear sidemarker assemblies; (c) 
installation of U.S.-model high-mounted stop light.
    Standard No. 110 Tire Selection and Rims: Installation of a tire 
information placard.
    Standard No. 111 Rearview Mirror: inscription of the required 
warning statement on the face of the passenger side rearview mirror, or 
replacement of the mirror with a U.S.-model component.
    Standard No. 114 Theft Protection: installation of a warning buzzer 
microswitch in the steering lock assembly, and a warning buzzer with 
associated wiring.
    Standard No. 118 Power Window Systems: installation of a relay in 
the power window control circuit so that the window transport mechanism 
is inoperative when the ignition switch is in the ``off'' position.
    Standard No. 208 Occupant Crash Protection: Replacement of the 
driver's and passenger's side air bags, knee bolsters, dual air bag 
control unit, air bag crash sensor, seat belt warning buzzer, and 
driver's seat belt latch including microswitch with U.S.-model 
components. The petitioner states that the vehicles are equipped with 
Type 2 combination lap and shoulder belts which are identical to those 
installed on the U.S. certified counterpart vehicles. According to the 
petitioner, these seat belts are automatic, self-tensioning, and 
capable of being released by means of a single red push button.
    Standard No. 214 Side Impact Protection: installation of 
reinforcing bars in the doors.
    The petitioner states that the front and rear bumpers of the 
vehicle will be modified with steel or replaced with U.S.-model bumper 
assemblies to meet the requirements of the Bumper Standard found in 49 
CFR part 581.
    The petitioner also states that all vehicles will be inspected 
prior to importation to ensure that all required anti-theft devices 
identical to those found on the U.S. certified counterpart vehicles are 
installed. Any modifications necessary to achieve compliance with the 
Theft Prevention Standard in 49 CFR part 541 will be made at that time.
    In addition, the petitioner states that a vehicle identification 
number (VIN) plate must be affixed to the vehicles so that it is 
readable from outside the driver's windshield pillar, and a reference 
and certification label must be affixed to the edge of the driver's 
side door or to the latch post nearest the driver to meet the 
requirements of 49 CFR part 565.
    The petitioner lastly states that a certification label will be 
affixed to the driver's side doorjamb to meet the requirements of the 
vehicle certification regulations in 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 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: April 30, 2002.
Marilynne Jacobs,
Director, Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance.
[FR Doc. 02-11051 Filed 5-2-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-59-P