[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 143 (Thursday, July 25, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 48700-48701]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-18756]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

[Docket No. NHTSA-2002-12732]


Notice of Receipt of Petition for Decision That Nonconforming 
1997-2001 and 2002 Porsche Boxster Passenger Cars Manufactured Before 
September 1, 2002 Are Eligible for Importation

AGENCY: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, DOT

ACTION: Notice of receipt of petition for decision that nonconforming 
1997-2001 and 2002 Porsche Boxster passenger cars manufactured before 
September 1, 2002 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 
1997-2001 and 2002 Porsche Boxster passenger cars manufactured before 
September 1, 2002 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 August 26, 
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. Sec. 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. Sec. 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.
    Automobile Concepts, Inc. of North Miami, Florida (``AMC'') 
(Registered Importer 01-278) has petitioned NHTSA to decide whether 
1997-2001 and 2002 Porsche Boxster passenger cars manufactured before 
September 1, 2002 are eligible for importation into the United States. 
The vehicles which AMC believes are substantially similar are 1997-2001 
and 2002 Porsche Boxster passenger cars manufactured before September 
1, 2002 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 
1997-2001 and 2002 Porsche Boxster passenger cars manufactured before 
September 1, 2002 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.
    AMC submitted information with its petition intended to demonstrate 
that non-U.S. certified 1997-2001 and 2002 Porsche Boxster passenger 
cars manufactured before September 1, 2002, 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-
2001 and 2002 Porsche Boxster passenger cars manufactured before 
September 1, 2002 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, 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, 219 Windshield Zone Intrusion, 
and 302 Flammability of Interior Materials.
    The 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) Inscription of the word 
``brake'' on the dash in place of the international ECE warning symbol; 
(b) replacement of the speedometer with a U.S.-model component 
calibrated to read in miles.

[[Page 48701]]

    Standard No. 108 Lamps, Reflective Devices and Associated 
Equipment: (a) Installation of U.S.-model headlamps; (b) installation 
of U.S.-model side markers; (c) installation of U.S.-model tail lamp 
assemblies which incorporate rear sidemarker lights; (d) installation 
of a U.S.-model high mounted stop light assembly if the vehicle is not 
already so equipped.
    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, or inscription of the 
required warning statement on that mirror.
    Standard No. 114 Theft Protection: activation of the warning 
buzzer.
    Standard No. 118 Power Window Systems: reprogramming of the power 
window system so that the windows will not operate with the ignition 
off.
    Standard No. 201 Occupant Protection in Interior Impact: inspection 
of each vehicle to ensure that appropriate components have been 
installed to meet the requirements of the standard, and replacement of 
any component that is not a U.S.-model part. The petitioner states that 
the manufacturer has identified the vehicle as meeting the upper 
interior head impact requirements of the standard.
    Standard No. 208 Occupant Crash Protection: (a) Activation of the 
seat belt warning buzzer by reprogramming the unit; (b) inspection of 
all vehicles and replacement of the driver's and passenger's side air 
bags, control units, sensors, and seat belts with U.S.-model components 
on vehicles that are not already so equipped. Petitioner states that 
the front and rear outboard designated seating positions have 
combination lap and shoulder belts that are self-tensioning and that 
release by means of a single red pushbutton. Petitioner further states 
that the vehicles are equipped with a seat belt warning lamp that is 
identical to the lamp installed on U.S.-certified models.
    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 states that the bumpers and bumper support structure 
on all vehicles must be inspected and, where necessary, replaced with 
U.S.-model bumper shocks, reinforcements, and pads to meet the Bumper 
Standard found in 49 CFR Part 581.
    The petitioner also states that a vehicle identification plate must 
be affixed to the vehicles near the left windshield post and a 
reference and certification label must be affixed in the area of the 
left front door post to meet the requirements of 49 CFR Part 565.
    The petitioner states that because anti-theft devices are installed 
on the vehicles, they are with exempt from the parts marking 
requirements of 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 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: July 18, 2002.
Marilynne Jacobs,
Director, Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance.
[FR Doc. 02-18756 Filed 7-24-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-59-P