[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 212 (Monday, November 3, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 62343-62345]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-27504]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

[Docket No. NHTSA-2003-16401]


Notice of Receipt of Petition for Decision That Nonconforming 
2002-2004 Smart Car Passion, Pulse, and Pure (Coupe and Cabriolet) 
Passenger Cars Are Eligible for Importation

AGENCY: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of receipt of petition for decision that nonconforming 
2002-2004 Smart Car Passion, Pulse, and Pure (coupe and cabriolet) 
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 
2002-2004 Smart Car Passion, Pulse, and Pure (coupe and cabriolet) 
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 they have safety features 
that comply with, or are capable of being altered to comply with, all 
such standards.

DATE: The closing date for comments on the petition is December 3, 
2003.

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 a.m. to 5 p.m.). 
Anyone is able to search the electronic form of all comments received 
into any of our dockets by the name of the individual submitting the 
comment (or signing the comment, if submitted on behalf of an 
association, business, labor union, etc.). You may review DOT's 
complete Privacy Act Statement in the Federal Register published on 
April 11, 2000 (Volume 65, Number 70; Pages 19477-78) or you may visit 
http://dms.dot.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Coleman Sachs, Office of Vehicle 
Safety Compliance, NHTSA (202-366-3151).

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. Where there is no substantially 
similar U.S.-certified motor vehicle, 49 U.S.C. 30141(a)(1)(B) permits 
a nonconforming motor vehicle to be admitted into the United States if 
its safety features comply with, or are capable of being altered to 
comply with, all applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standards 
based on destructive test data or such other evidence as NHTSA decides 
to be adequate.
    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 Ana, California (``G&K'') 
(Registered Importer 90-007) has petitioned NHTSA to decide whether 
nonconforming 2002-2004 Smart Car Passion, Pulse, and Pure (coupe and 
cabriolet) passenger cars are eligible for importation into the United 
States. Another registered importer, J.K. Technologies, LLC of 
Baltimore, Maryland (``J.K.'') (Registered Importer 90-006), previously 
petitioned NHTSA to decide whether 2003-2004 Micro Car Company Smart 
Passion (glass top and convertible) passenger cars are eligible for 
importation. NHTSA published notice of J.K.'s petition on June 20, 2003 
at 68 FR 37040. The comment period on that petition has closed and the 
agency is in the process of deciding whether to grant the petition. If 
the agency grants J.K.'s petition, there will be no need for it to take 
action on G&K's petition insofar as it seeks import eligibility for 
2003-2004 Smart Car Passion (coupe and cabriolet) passenger cars, as 
those are the same vehicles as the ones covered by J.K.'s petition. If 
the agency decides to deny J.K.'s petition, it will again determine 
whether those vehicles are eligible for importation in its 
consideration of G&K's petition. As part of that consideration, the 
agency will also address, for the first time, the import eligibility of 
2002 Passion, Pulse, and Pure model Smart Cars, and 2003-2004 Pulse and 
Pure model Smart Cars, since those vehicles were not included in J.K.'s 
petition.
    G&K contends that nonconforming 2002-2004 Smart Car Passion, Pulse, 
and Pure (coupe and cabriolet) passenger cars are eligible for 
importation under 49 U.S.C. 30141(a)(1)(B) because they have safety 
features that comply with, or are capable of being altered to comply 
with, all applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standards.

[[Page 62344]]

    Specifically, the petitioner claims that 2002-2004 Smart Car 
Passion, Pulse, and Pure (coupe and cabriolet) passenger cars have 
safety features that comply with Standard Nos. 103 Defrosting and 
Defogging Systems (based on testing for which G&K is claiming 
confidentiality), 104 Windshield Wiping and Washing Systems (based on 
testing for which G&K is claiming confidentiality), 106 Brake Hoses 
(based on the equipment manufacturer's certification), 109 New 
Pneumatic Tires (based on the presence of required certification 
markings), 116 Brake Fluid (based on the presence of required 
markings), 118 Power Window Systems (based on observation of the 
system's operation), 124 Accelerator Control Systems (based on 
observation of the system's operation), 202 Head Restraints (based on 
testing for which G&K is claiming confidentiality), 205 Glazing 
Materials (based on the presence of required certification markings), 
207 Seating Systems (based on testing for which G&K is claiming 
confidentiality), 210 Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages (based on testing 
for which G&K is claiming confidentiality), 212 Windshield Retention 
(based on testing for which G&K is claiming confidentiality), and 219 
Windshield Zone Intrusion (based on testing for which G&K is claiming 
confidentiality).
    Petitioner further contends that the vehicles are capable of being 
altered to meet the following standards, in the manner indicated:
    Standard No. 101 Controls and Displays: (a) Inscription of the word 
``Brake'' and a seat belt warning symbol on the dash; (b) modification 
of the speedometer to read in miles per hour. The petitioner states 
that the controls and displays are visible and accessible to the driver 
while restrained by a lap and shoulder belt, that controls for the 
headlamps, the windshield defrosting and defogging system, and the 
windshield wiping system and panel are all identified, and that all 
required controls are illuminated.
    Standard No. 102 Transmission Shift Lever Sequence: Modification of 
the shift lever markings, the shift pattern, the starter interlock, and 
the automatic transmission braking effect to achieve compliance with 
this standard. The petition does not describe these modifications. G&K 
is claiming confidentiality with respect to these modifications.
    Standard No. 108 Lamps, Reflective Devices and Associated 
Equipment: (a) Modification of the headlamp to meet the standard; (b) 
installation of side markers. The petition does not describe these 
modifications. G&K is claiming confidentiality with respect to these 
modifications and the testing conducted to demonstrate that the 
vehicles would meet this standard with these modifications performed.
    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.
    Standard No. 114 Theft Protection: Modification of the key locking 
system to meet this standard. The petition does not describe these 
modifications. G&K is claiming confidentiality with respect to these 
modifications.
    Standard No. 135 Passenger Car Brake Systems: Modification of the 
hydraulic brake system and the parking brake system through the 
installation of components available only from G&K. The petition does 
not describe these modifications. G&K is claiming confidentiality with 
respect to these modifications and the testing conducted to demonstrate 
that the vehicles would meet this standard with these modifications 
performed.
    Standard No. 201 Occupant Protection in Interior Impact: 
Replacement of interior components with components fabricated by, and 
available only through, G&K. The petition does not describe these 
components or their manner of installation. G&K is claiming 
confidentiality with respect to these modifications and the testing 
conducted to demonstrate that the vehicles would meet this standard 
with these modifications performed.
    Standard No. 204 Steering Control Displacement: Modification of the 
vehicles to meet the standard. The petition does not describe these 
modifications. G&K is claiming confidentiality with respect to these 
modifications and the testing conducted to demonstrate that the 
vehicles would meet this standard with these modifications performed.
    Standard No. 206 Door Locks and Door Retention Components: 
Modification of the door locks and door retention components to meet 
the standard. The petition does not describe these modifications. G&K 
is claiming confidentiality with respect to these modifications and the 
testing conducted to demonstrate that the vehicle would meet this 
standard with these modifications performed.
    Standard No. 208 Occupant Crash Protection: Modification of the 
vehicles to meet this standard. The petition does not describe these 
modifications. G&K is claiming confidentiality with respect to these 
modifications and the testing conducted to demonstrate that the 
vehicles would meet this standard with these modifications performed.
    Standard No. 209 Seat Belt Assemblies: Modification of the seat 
belt systems to meet this standard. The petition does not describe 
these modifications. G&K is claiming confidentiality with respect to 
these modifications.
    Standard No. 214 Side Impact Protection: Modification of the 
vehicles through the installation of components available only from 
G&K. The petition does not describe these modifications. G&K is 
claiming confidentiality with respect to these modifications and the 
static and dynamic testing conducted to demonstrate that the vehicles 
would meet this standard with these modifications performed.
    Standard No. 216 Roof Crush Resistance: Modification of the 
vehicles to meet this standard. The petition does not describe these 
modifications. G&K is claiming confidentiality with respect to these 
modifications and the testing conducted to demonstrate that the 
vehicles would meet this standard with these modifications performed.
    Standard No. 225 Child Restraint Anchorage Systems: Installation of 
a U.S.-model tether anchorage behind the passenger seat on coupe 
models.
    Standard No. 301 Fuel System Integrity: Modification of the 
vehicles' fuel system through the installation of components available 
only from G&K. The petition does not describe these modifications. G&K 
is claiming confidentiality with respect to these modifications and the 
testing conducted to demonstrate that the vehicles would meet this 
standard with these modifications performed.
    Standard No. 302 Flammability of Interior Materials: Treatment of 
interior materials and components covered by the standard with material 
available only from G&K. G&K is claiming confidentiality with respect 
to these modifications and the testing conducted to demonstrate that 
the vehicles would meet this standard with these modifications 
performed.
    The petitioner states that a vehicle identification number 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 further states that a certification label must be affixed to 
the driver's door jamb to meet the requirements of 49 CFR part 567.
    Additionally, the petitioner states that 2002-2004 Smart Car 
Passion, Pulse,

[[Page 62345]]

and Pure (coupe and cabriolet) passenger cars must be modified through 
the installation of components available only from G&K to comply with 
the Bumper Standard found in 49 CFR part 581. The petition does not 
describe these modifications. G&K is claiming confidentiality with 
respect to these modifications and the testing conducted to demonstrate 
that the vehicles would meet this standard with these modifications 
performed.
    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)(B) and (b)(1); 49 CFR 593.8; 
delegations of authority at 49 CFR 1.50 and 501.8.

    Issued on: October 28, 2003.
Kenneth N. Weinstein,
Associate Administrator for Enforcement.
[FR Doc. 03-27504 Filed 10-31-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-59-P