[Federal Register: July 7, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 129)] [Notices] [Page 36739-36740] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr07jy99-139] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION National Highway Traffic Safety Administration [Docket No. NHTSA-99-5914] Decision That Nonconforming 1991-1998 Honda VT600 Motorcycles Are Eligible for Importation AGENCY: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), DOT. ACTION: Notice of decision by NHTSA that nonconforming 1991-1998 Honda VT600 motorcycles are eligible for importation. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: This document announces the decision by NHTSA that 1991-1998 Honda VT600 motorcycles not originally manufactured to comply with all applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standards 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 certified by their manufacturer as complying with the safety standards (the U.S. certified version of the 1991-1998 Honda VT600), and they are capable of being readily altered to conform to the standards. DATES: This decision is effective July 7, 1999. 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. Champagne Imports, Inc. of Lansdale, Pennsylvania (``Champagne'') (Registered Importer 90-009) petitioned NHTSA to decide whether 1991- 1998 Honda VT600 motorcycles are eligible for importation into the United States. NHTSA published notice of the petition under Docket No. NHTSA-98-4864 on Wednesday, December 16, 1998 (63 FR 69357) 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 the petition, from American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (``Honda''), the United States representative of the vehicles' manufacturer. In this comment, Honda stated that the headlights on non-U.S. certified 1991-1998 Honda VT600 motorcycles do not conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 108, Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment, because they have an asymmetrical beam for right hand traffic. Honda also stated that vehicle identification numbers assigned to non-U.S. certified 1991-1998 Honda VT600 motorcycles contain only eleven digits, and therefore do not conform to the requirements of 49 CFR part 565. NHTSA accorded Champagne an opportunity to respond to Honda's comment. In its response, Champagne stated that it will modify the headlights on non-U.S. certified 1991-1998 Honda VT600 motorcycles to comply with Standard No. 108. Additionally, Champagne stated that it will address the vehicle identification number issue raised by Honda by utilizing the eleven digit VIN assigned by the original manufacturer of the vehicles as a substitute for the U.S. VIN, as permitted by 49 CFR 565.5(a). NHTSA believes that Champagne's response adequately addresses the issues that Honda has raised regarding the petition. NHTSA further notes that Honda has not contended that non-U.S. certified 1991-1998 Honda VT600 motorcycles are incapable of being readily altered to comply with applicable motor vehicle safety standards, and that the modifications described by Champagne, which have been performed with relative ease on thousands of motor vehicles imported over the years, would not preclude non-U.S. certified 1991-1998 Honda VT600 motorcycles from being found capable of being so altered. NHTSA has accordingly 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-294 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 hereby decides that non-U.S. certified 1991-1998 Honda [[Page 36740]] VT600 motorcycles are substantially similar to 1991-1998 Honda VT600 motorcycles 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 Federal motor vehicle safety standards. 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 1, 1999. Marilynne Jacobs, Director, Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance. [FR Doc. 99-17164 Filed 7-6-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-59-P