Notice of Receipt of Petition for Decision That Nonconforming 1992 Chrysler Daytona Passenger Cars Are Eligible for Importation

AGENCY:

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, DOT

ACTION:

Notice of receipt of petition for decision that nonconforming 1992 Chrysler Daytona passenger cars are eligible for importation.

SUMMARY:

This notice announces receipt by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) of a petition for a decision that a 1992 Chrysler Daytona that was not originally manufactured to comply with all applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standards is eligible for importation into the United States because (1) it is substantially similar to a vehicle that was originally manufactured for sale in the United States and that was certified by its manufacturer as complying with the safety standards, and (2) it is capable of being readily altered to conform to the standards.

DATES:

The closing date for comments on the petition is July 20, 2000.

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 10 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. 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 1992 Chrysler Daytona passenger cars manufactured for the European and other foreign markets are eligible for importation into the United States. The vehicle which Wallace believes is substantially similar is the 1992 Dodge Daytona that was manufactured for sale in the United States and certified by its manufacturer, Chrysler Corporation, as conforming to all applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standards.

The petitioner claims that it carefully compared the non-U.S. certified 1992 Chrysler Daytona to the U.S. certified 1992 Dodge Daytona, 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 1992 Chrysler Daytona, as originally manufactured, conforms to many Federal motor vehicle safety standards in the same manner as the U.S. certified 1992 Dodge Daytona, or is capable of being readily altered to conform to those standards.

Specifically, the petitioner claims that the non-U.S. certified 1992 Chrysler Daytona 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, 109 New Pneumatic Tires, 113 Hood Latch Systems, 116 Brake Fluid, 118 Power Window Systems, 124 Accelerator Control Systems, 201 Occupant Protection in Interior Impact, 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, 216 Roof Crush Resistance, 219 Windshield Zone Intrusion, and 302 Flammability of Interior Materials.

Additionally, the petitioner states that the non-U.S. certified 1992 Chrysler Daytona complies with the Bumper Standard found in 49 CFR Part 581.

Petitioner also contends that the vehicle is capable of being readily altered to meet the following standards, in the manner indicated:

Standard No. 108 Lamps, Reflective Devices and Associated Equipment: (a) replacement of the headlight and taillight lenses with U.S.-model components; (b) installation of front and rear sidemarker lights; (c) replacement of the rear brake light with a functioning component.

Standard No. 110 Tire Selection and Rims: installation of a tire information placard.

Standard No. 111 Rearview Mirrors: inscription of the required warning statement in the passenger side rearview mirror.

Standard No.114 Theft Protection: installation of a warning buzzer microswitch and a warning buzzer in the steering lock assembly.

Standard No. 208 Occupant Crash Protection: (a) installation of a seat belt warning buzzer wired to the driver's seat belt latch; (b) installation of a U.S.-model driver's side air bag and knee bolster on vehicles that are not already so equipped. The petitioner states that the vehicles are equipped with Type II seat belts in both front and rear outboard designated seating positions, and with a lap belt in the rear center designated seating position.

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 also states that a vehicle identification number plate is affixed to the vehicle that meets the requirements of 49 CFR Part 565.

The petitioner finally states that all vehicles will be inspected prior to importation to assure compliance with the Theft Prevention Standard found in 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 10 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.