[Federal Register: April 16, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 73)] [Notices] [Page 18962-18963] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr16ap99-147] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION National Highway Traffic Safety Administration [Docket No. NHTSA-99-5498] Notice of Receipt of Petition for Decision That Nonconforming 1997 Chevrolet Astro Vans Are Eligible for Importation AGENCY: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, DOT. ACTION: Notice of receipt of petition for decision that nonconforming 1997 Chevrolet Astro Vans are eligible for importation. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: This document announces receipt by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) of a petition for a decision that 1997 Chevrolet Astro Vans manufactured for sale in the Middle East 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 May 17, 1999. 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 am to 5 pm]. 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. 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. Wallace Environmental Testing Laboratories, Inc. of Houston, Texas (``Wallace'') (Registered Importer 90-005) has petitioned NHTSA to decide whether a 1997 Chevrolet Astro Van manufactured for sale in the Middle East is eligible for importation into the United States. The vehicle which Wallace believes is substantially similar is the 1997 Chevrolet Astro Van that was manufactured for sale in the United States and certified by its manufacturer, General Motors Corporation, as conforming to all applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standards. The petitioner claims that it carefully compared the non-U.S. certified 1997 [[Page 18963]] Chevrolet Astro Van to its U.S. certified counterpart, and found the two vehicles to be substantially similar with respect to compliance with most Federal motor vehicle safety standards. Wallace submitted information with its petition intended to demonstrate that the non-U.S. certified 1997 Chevrolet Astro Van, as originally manufactured, conforms to many Federal motor vehicle safety standards in the same manner as its U.S. certified counterpart, or is capable of being readily altered to conform to those standards. Specifically, the petitioner claims that the non-U.S. certified 1997 Chevrolet Astro Van is identical to its U.S. certified counterpart with respect to compliance with Standards Nos. 101 Controls and Displays, 102 Transmission Shift Lever Sequence * * *, 103 Defrosting and Defogging Systems, 104 Windshield Wiping and Washing Systems, 105 Hydraulic Brake Systems, 106 Brake Hoses, 113 Hood Latch Systems, 116 Brake Fluid, 118 Power Operated Window Systems, 119 New Pneumatic Tires for Vehicles other than Passenger Cars, 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, 208 Occupant Crash Protection, 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 the non-U.S. certified 1997 Chevrolet Astro Van complies with the Bumper Standard found in 49 CFR part 581. Petitioner also 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: replacement of the tail light assemblies with U.S.-model components that incorporate rear sidemarkers. Standard No. 111 Rearview Mirror: inscription of the required warning statement in the passenger side rearview mirror. Standard No. 114 Theft Protection: installation of a warning device that activates when the key is left in the ignition and the driver's door is opened. Standard No. 120 Tire Selection and Rims for Motor Vehicles other than Passenger Cars: installation of a tire information placard. The petitioner also states that a vehicle identification number plate must be affixed to the vehicles to meet the requirements of 49 CFR Part 565. 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 12, 1999. Marilynne Jacobs, Director, Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance. [FR Doc. 99-9545 Filed 4-15-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-59-P