[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 79 (Tuesday, April 25, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 23986-23988]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-6135]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

[Docket No. NHTSA-2004-17672; Notice 2]


Decision That Nonconforming 2003 Audi RS6 and RS6 Avant Passenger 
Cars Are Eligible for Importation

AGENCY: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of decision by the National Highway Traffic Safety 
Administration that nonconforming 2003 Audi RS6 and RS6 Avant passenger 
cars are eligible for importation.

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SUMMARY: This document announces a decision by the National Highway 
Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) that certain 2003 Audi RS6 and 
RS6 Avant passenger cars that were not originally manufactured to 
comply with all applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standards 
(FMVSS) are eligible for importation into the United States because 
they are substantially similar to vehicles originally manufactured for 
importation into and sale in the United States and that were certified 
by their manufacturer as complying with the safety standards (the U.S. 
certified version of the 2003 Audi RS6 and RS6 Avant passenger cars), 
and they are capable of being readily altered to conform to the 
standards.

DATES: This decision was effective July 9, 2004. The agency notified 
the petitioner at that time that the subject vehicles are eligible for 
importation. This document provides public notice of the eligibility 
decision.

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 FMVSS 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 as required 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 FMVSS.
    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.
    Webautoworld (Web) of Pompano Beach, Florida (Registered Importer 
02-295), petitioned NHTSA to decide whether 2003 Audi RS6 and RS6 Avant 
passenger cars are eligible for importation into the United States. 
NHTSA published a notice of the petition on May 6, 2004 (69 FR 25460)

[[Page 23987]]

to afford an opportunity for public comment. The reader is referred to 
that notice for a thorough description of the petition.
    One comment was received in response to the notice of petition, 
from Volkswagen of America, Inc. (VW), the U.S. representative of the 
vehicle's original manufacturer. VW's comment addressed issues it 
believed Web had overlooked in describing alterations necessary to 
conform 2003 Audi RS6 and RS6 Avant models to numerous FMVSS as well as 
to the Bumper Standard and the Theft Prevention Standard. The agency 
accorded Web an opportunity to respond to the issues raised by VW. VW's 
comments, Web's responses, and NHTSA's analysis are set forth below for 
each of the issues that VW raised.
    (1) 49 CFR part 541, Theft Prevention Standard: The petition stated 
that the A6 carline was not on the high theft list. VW stated that the 
A6 carline is a high theft carline, but had been exempted from the 
parts marking requirements because the vehicles are equipped with an 
anti-theft device. VW further stated that non-conforming vehicles must 
be inspected for the presence of equivalent anti-theft systems. Web 
responded that it will ensure that anti-theft systems, equivalent to 
those installed in U.S.-model vehicles, are installed in the vehicles.
    NHTSA's Analysis: The agency notes that Theft Prevention Standard 
compliance issues are not directly relevant to an import eligibility 
decision, as such a decision is to be based on the capability of a non-
U.S. certified vehicle to be altered to conform to the FMVSS, and the 
Theft Standard is not an FMVSS. However, because a vehicle that is not 
originally manufactured to comply with the Theft Prevention Standard 
must be modified to comply with the standard before it can be imported 
into the United States, conformance with the Theft Prevention Standard 
must be shown in the conformity package submitted to NHTSA to allow 
release of the DOT conformance bond furnished at the time of 
importation.
    (2) 49 CFR part 581, Bumper Standard: The petition stated that the 
bumpers and bumper support structures in the non-U.S. certified model 
are the same as those in the U.S. certified model. VW stated that non-
U.S. certified vehicles have bumper systems that do not comply with the 
Bumper Standard. Web responded that it will install U.S.-model bumper 
systems on the non-U.S. certified vehicles.
    NHTSA's Analysis: The agency notes that Bumper Standard compliance 
issues are not directly relevant to an import eligibility decision, as 
such a decision is to be based on the capability of a non-U.S. 
certified vehicle to be altered to conform to the FMVSS, and the Bumper 
Standard is not an FMVSS. However, because a vehicle that is not 
originally manufactured to comply with the Bumper Standard must be 
modified to comply with the standard before it can be admitted 
permanently into the United States, conformance with the Bumper 
Standard must be shown in the conformity package submitted to NHTSA to 
allow release of the DOT conformance bond furnished at the time of 
importation.
    (3) FMVSS No. 118 Power-Operated Window Partition, and Roof Panel 
Systems: The petition stated that the systems in the non-U.S. certified 
model are identical to those in the U.S. certified model. VW stated 
that the remote controlled window closing feature on the non-U.S. 
certified model had not been certified to paragraphs S4 and S5 of FMVSS 
No. 118. Web responded that the remote controlled window closing 
feature will be modified or replaced to assure compliance with the 
standard.
    NHTSA's Analysis: The modifications needed to comply with this 
standard would not preclude the vehicle from being deemed eligible for 
importation. Conformity packages submitted for vehicles imported under 
the decision must demonstrate that the vehicle is equipped with a 
power-operated window partition and roof panel system that conforms to 
the standard.
    (4) FMVSS No. 225 Child Restraint Anchorage Systems: The petition 
stated that the systems in the non-U.S. certified model are identical 
to those in the U.S. model. VW stated that non-U.S. certified model 
vehicles do not comply with the standard as originally manufactured 
because they do not have top tether anchorages and the locations of the 
lower anchorages are not marked. Web responded that top tether 
anchorages, similar to those installed in the U.S. certified version, 
will be installed to meet the requirements of paragraph S6 of the 
standard. Web also stated that conforming lower anchorages will be 
installed in vehicles not already so equipped, and that lower anchorage 
location markings will be installed to conform to the requirements of 
paragraph S9 of the standard.
    NHTSA's Analysis: The modifications Web identified as needed to 
comply with the standard would not preclude the vehicle from being 
deemed eligible for importation. Conformity packages submitted for 
vehicles imported under the decision must demonstrate that the vehicle 
is equipped with a child restraint anchorage system that conforms to 
the standard.
    (5) FMVSS No. 201 Occupant Protection in Interior Impact: The 
petition stated that the systems in the non-U.S. certified model are 
identical to those in the U.S. certified model. VW stated that non-U.S. 
certified vehicles do not comply with the standard as originally 
manufactured because they do not include all of the interior trim 
components required for certification to the impact requirements of the 
standard. Web responded that U.S. certified model A-pillar, upper 
window frame, and support covers above the passenger's heads will be 
installed in the vehicles to meet the requirements of the standard.
    NHTSA's Analysis: The modifications Web identified as needed to 
comply with the standard would not preclude the vehicle from being 
deemed eligible for importation. Conformity packages submitted for 
vehicles imported under the decision must demonstrate that the vehicle 
is equipped with components that conform to the standard.
    (6) FMVSS No. 207 Seating Systems: The petition stated that the 
systems in the non-U.S. certified model are identical to those in the 
U.S. certified model. VW stated that front seats in non-U.S. certified 
model vehicles had not been certified to FMVSS No. 207. Web responded 
that front seats will be replaced with U.S.-model components on 
vehicles that are not already so equipped to meet the requirements of 
the standard.
    NHTSA's Analysis: The modifications Web identified as needed to 
comply with the standard would not preclude the vehicle from being 
deemed eligible for importation. Conformity packages submitted for 
vehicles imported under the decision must demonstrate that the vehicle 
is equipped with a seating system that conforms to the standard.
    (7) FMVSS No. 208 Occupant Crash Protection: VW stated that in 
addition to the modifications identified in the petition, non-U.S. 
certified models are not equipped with knee bolsters, and that the air 
bag control modules in those vehicles are different. Web responded that 
U.S.-model knee bolsters will be installed. Web also stated that the 
air bag control module will be reprogrammed or replaced as required to 
assure functionality based on the requirements of the standard.
    NHTSA's Analysis: The modifications Web identified as needed to 
comply with the standard would not preclude the vehicle from being 
deemed eligible for importation. Conformity packages submitted for 
vehicles imported under

[[Page 23988]]

the decision must demonstrate that the vehicle is equipped with an 
occupant crash protection system that conforms to the standard.
    (8) FMVSS No. 209 Seat Belt Assemblies: The petition stated that 
the seat belt assemblies in the non-U.S. certified model are identical 
to those in the U.S. certified model. VW stated that the rear seat belt 
load limiters in the non-U.S. certified model vehicles had not been 
certified to the requirements of FMVSS No. 209. Web responded that rear 
seat belts and load limiters that conform to the requirements of the 
standard will be installed in the vehicles.
    NHTSA's Analysis: The modifications Web identified as needed to 
comply with the standard would not prelude the vehicle from being 
deemed eligible for importation. Conformity packages submitted for 
vehicles imported under the decision must demonstrate that the vehicle 
is equipped with seat belts that conform to the standard.

Conclusion

    In view of the above considerations, NHTSA decided to grant the 
petition.

Vehicle Eligibility Number for Subject Vehicles

    The importer of a vehicle admissible under any final decision must 
indicate on the form HS-7 accompanying entry the appropriate vehicle 
eligibility number indicating that the vehicle is eligible for entry. 
VSP-443 is the vehicle eligibility number assigned to vehicles 
admissible under this notice of final decision.

Final Decision

    Accordingly, on the basis of the foregoing, NHTSA decided that 2003 
Audi RS6 and RS6 Avant passenger cars that were not originally 
manufactured to comply with all applicable FMVSS, are substantially 
similar to 2003 Audi RS6 and RS6 Avant passenger cars originally 
manufactured for importation into and sale in the United States and 
certified under 49 U.S.C. 30115, and are capable of being readily 
altered to conform to all applicable FMVSS.

    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.

Claude H. Harris,
Director, Office of Vehicle, Safety Compliance.
[FR Doc. E6-6135 Filed 4-24-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-59-P