3002 Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 12 / Wednesday, January 19, 2000 / Notices

for and address their parking needs; (2)

how truck drivers select when, where,

and at which facility they park

(including public vs. private stops); and,

(3) what truck drivers think of the

adequacy of current parking facilities.

Approach: The survey instrument will

be developed with input from several

commercial vehicle industry segments.

The industry segments represented

during survey development will include

safety stakeholders, trade associations,

and carrier companies. Survey

development will include a thorough

search of related survey efforts,

including, but not limited to, other

commercial vehicle driver surveys.

Survey items will reflect parking-related

factors identified through literature

reviews, as well as parking-related

factors and concerns raised in

discussions with representatives from

the various industry segments. The

survey will contain primarily fixedresponse items. The items will address

driver demographics, trip-planning,

factors influencing parking decisions,

and drivers’ assessment of the adequacy

of current commercial vehicle parking.

Where appropriate, drivers will be

asked these questions for both current

and typical hauls. The demographic

information will help determine

whether different types of drivers have

different parking needs.

The survey will be distributed to

truck drivers at selected truck stops and

rest areas across the United States.

Randomly sampling drivers at parking

facilities along U.S. trucking corridors

will ensure that all drivers who use

such parking facilities have an equal

chance of being included in the study.

To increase sample size, mail-out

surveys may also be used.

Respondents: There will be 2,000

randomly selected truck drivers who

will be requested to respond to the

planned survey.

Estimated Burden Hours: The average

burden per response is 15 minutes. This

includes the time needed for reviewing

the survey instructions, completing the

appropriate survey instrument,

reviewing the collection of information,

and returning the information to the

research team. The estimated total

annual burden to survey respondents is

500 hours. The survey is a one-time

survey.

Public Comments Invited

Interested parties are invited to send

comments regarding any aspect of this

information collection, including, but

not limited to: (1) The necessity and

utility of the information collection for

the proper performance of the functions

of the FHWA; (2) the accuracy of the

estimated burden; (3) ways to enhance

the quality, utility, and clarity of the

collected information; and (4) ways to

minimize the collection burden without

reducing the quality of the collected

information. Comments submitted in

response to this notice will be

summarized and/or included in the

request for OMB’s clearance of this

information collection.

Electronic Access

Internet users can access all

comments received by the U.S. DOT

Dockets, Room PL–401, by using the

universal resource locator (URL):

http://dms.dot.gov. It is available 24

hours each day, 365 days each year.

Please follow the instructions online for

more information and help.

An electronic copy of this document

may be downloaded using a modem and

suitable communications software from

the Government Printing Office

Electronic Bulletin Board Service at

telephone number 202–512–1661.

Internet users may reach the Federal

Register’s home page at http://

www.nara.gov/fedreg and the

Government Printing Office’s database

at: http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara.

Authority: TEA–21, Section 4027; 49 CFR

1.48.

Issued on: January 13, 2000.

Michael J. Vecchietti,

Director, Office of Information and

Management Services.

[FR Doc. 00–1194 Filed 1–18–00; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910–22–P

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

National Highway Traffic Safety

Administration

[Docket No. NHTSA–99–5507; Notice 2]

Decision that Nonconforming 1990–

1999 Nissan GTS and GTR Passenger

Cars Are Eligible for Importation

AGENCY: National Highway Traffic

Safety Administration (NHTSA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of decision by NHTSA

that nonconforming 1990–1999 Nissan

GTS and GTR passenger cars are eligible

for importation.

SUMMARY: This document announces the

decision by NHTSA that 1990–1999

Nissan GTS and GTR Passenger cars 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.

DATES: The decision is effective as of the

date of its publication in the Federal

Register.

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. 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 determination in the

Federal Register.

J.K. Motors of Baltimore, Maryland

(Registered Importer No. R–90–006)

petitioned NHTSA to decide whether

1990–1999 Nissan GTS and GTR

Passenger cars are eligible for

importation into the United States.

NHTSA published notice of the petition

under Docket Number NHTSA–99–5507

on April 16, 1999 (64 FR 18963) to

afford an opportunity for public

comment.

As stated in the notice, the petitioner

claimed that 1990–1999 Nissan GTS and

GTR passenger cars have safety features

that comply with Standard Nos. 102

Transmission Shift Lever Sequence . . .

Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 12 / Wednesday, January 19, 2000 / Notices 3003

(based on comparison of components to

those on comparable U.S.-certified

models, such as the Nissan 300ZX

Turbo), 103 Defrosting and Defogging

Systems (based on engineering analysis

and comparison of components to those

on comparable U.S.-certified models,

such as the Nissan 300ZX and 300ZX

Turbo), 104 Windshield Wiping and

Washing Systems (based on engineering

analysis and comparison of components

to those on comparable U.S.-certified

models, such as the Nissan 240SX,

300ZX, 300ZX Turbo, and Maxima), 105

Hydraulic Brake Systems (based on

engineering analysis and comparison of

components to those on comparable

U.S.-certified models, such as the

Nissan 300ZX and Maxima), 106 Brake

Hoses (based on comparison of

components to those on comparable

U.S.-certified models and on visual

inspection of certification markings),

109 New Pneumatic Tires (based on

visual inspection of certification

markings), 113 Hood Latch Systems

(based on comparison of components to

those on comparable U.S.-certified

models, such as the Nissan 300 ZX

Turbo), 116 Brake Fluids (based on

visual inspection of certification

markings), 124 Accelerator Control

Systems (based on engineering analysis

and comparison of components to those

on comparable U.S.-certified models,

such as the Nissan 300ZX Turbo, which

also utilize dual return springs, either of

which is capable of closing the throttle

when the other is disconnected), 202

Head Restraints (based on results of

dynamic tests conducted for petitioner

by MGA Research Corporation to

establish vehicles’ compliance with

Standards 208 and 301), 203 Impact

Protection for the Driver from the

Steering Control System (based on

results of dynamic tests conducted for

petitioner by MGA Research

Corporation to establish vehicles’

compliance with Standard 208), 204

Steering Control Rearward

Displacement (based on results of

dynamic tests conducted for petitioner

by MGA Research Corporation to

establish vehicles’ compliance with

Standard 208), 205 Glazing Materials

(based on comparison of components to

those on comparable U.S.-certified

models and on visual inspection of

certification markings), 206 Door Locks

and Door Retention Components (based

on results of dynamic tests conducted

for petitioner by MGA Research

Corporation to establish vehicles’

compliance with Standards 208 and

301, in which forces exerted far exceed

those specified in Standard 206), 209

Seat Belt Assemblies (based on

comparison of components to those on

comparable U.S.-certified models and

on visual inspection of certification

markings), 216 Roof Crush Resistance

(based on comparison of roof structure

to that of comparable U.S. certified

models, such as the Nissan 300 ZX, and

on engineering analysis), 219

Windshield Zone Intrusion (based on

test data), and 302 Flammability of

Interior Materials (based on comparison

of components to those on comparable

U.S.-certified models).

Petitioner also stated that based on

engineering analysis the 1990–1999

Nissan GTS and GTR passenger cars

comply with the Bumper Standard

found at 49 CFR part 581. The petitioner

observed that the bumpers are of a

customary plastic/nylon design

impregnated with body color and that

they are mounted with high energy

absorption components.

The petitioner also contended that

1990–1999 Nissan GTS and GTR

passenger cars are capable of being

altered to comply with the following

standards, in the manner indicated:

Standard No. 101 Controls and

Displays: (a) substitution of a lens

marked ‘‘Brake’’ for a lens with an ECE

symbol on the brake failure indicator

lamp; (b) installation of a speedometer/

odometer calibrated in miles per hour.

Petitioner stated that it is also silk

screening its own custom faces to meet

the standard. Petitioner further stated

that the remaining controls and displays

are identical to those found on

comparable U.S.-certified models, such

as the Nissan 300ZX.

Standard No. 108 Lamps, Reflective

Devices and Associated Equipment: (a)

Installation of U.S.-model headlamps

and front sidemarker lights; (b)

installation of U.S.-model rear

sidemarker lights and reflectors; (c)

installation of a high mounted stop

lamp, if the vehicle is not already so

equipped. The petitioner asserts that the

tail lamp assemblies meet the standard

in all respects.

Standard No. 110 Tire Selection and

Rims: installation of a tire information

placard. Petitioner stated that the rims

that are equipped on the vehicle have

DOT certification markings and are

identical to those found on comparable

U.S.-certified models, such as the

Nissan 300ZX Turbo.

Standard No. 111 Rearview Mirrors:

replacement of the passenger side

rearview mirror with a U.S.-model

component.

Standard No. 114 Theft Protection:

installation of a U.S.-model warning

buzzer in the steering lock electrical

circuit on all models and installation of

a U.S.-model seatbelt warning system on

1990–1993 models. Petitioner stated

that the components installed on GTS

models will be identical to those found

on the Nissan Maxima, and the

components installed on GTR models

will be identical to those found on the

Nissan 300ZX Turbo.

Standard No. 118 Power-Operated

Window Systems: installation of a relay

(identical to that found on the Nissan

300ZX) in the power window system of

1990–1993 models so that the window

transport is inoperative when the

ignition is switched off. Petitioner stated

that 1994–1999 models are already

equipped with this component.

On May 12, 1999, under 49 CFR part

512, NHTSA’s Office of Chief Counsel

granted J.K.’s request for confidential

treatment of structural drawings

submitted with the petition to

demonstrate the capability of the

vehicles to be conformed to Standard

Nos. 201, 207, 208, 210, 214, and 301,

but denied J.K.’s request for confidential

treatment of test data submitted with the

petition that confirmed the vehicles’

conformity with the standards. The

material for which confidentiality was

denied has been placed in the public

docket, together with a copy of the

petition.

Standard No. 201 Occupant

Protection in Interior Impact: The

petitioner stated that compliance with

Standard 201 was demonstrated in

dynamic tests conducted for the

petitioner by MGA Research

Corporation to establish the vehicles’

compliance with Standards 208 and

301. These tests were conducted after

the petitioner had made structural

modifications to the dash area of the

vehicles.

Standard No. 207 Seating Systems:

The petitioner stated that compliance

with Standard 207 was demonstrated in

dynamic tests conducted for the

petitioner by MGA Research

Corporation to establish the vehicles’

compliance with Standards 208 and

301. These tests were conducted after

the petitioner had made structural

modifications to the seat frames.

Standard No. 208 Occupant Crash

Protection: (a) Replacement of the

driver’s side airbag on 1990–1993

models, and the driver’s and passenger’s

side airbags on 1994–1999 models with

components manufactured to

petitioner’s specifications based on the

results of static and dynamic tests

conducted by MGA Research

Corporation. These tests were

conducted after petitioner had made

certain structural modifications to the

vehicle; (b) installation of an airbag

warning label on each sun visor.

Petitioner stated that the vehicle is

3004 Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 12 / Wednesday, January 19, 2000 / Notices

equipped with a seatbelt warning lamp

and buzzer that are identical to

components found on comparable U.S.-

certified models. The petitioner also

stated that the vehicles are equipped

with combination lap and shoulder

restraints that adjust by means of an

automatic retractor and release by

means of a single push button at all

front and rear designated seating

positions.

Standard No. 210 Seat Belt Assembly

Anchorages: The petitioner stated that

compliance with Standard 207 was

demonstrated in dynamic tests

conducted for the petitioner by MGA

Research Corporation to establish the

vehicles’ compliance with Standards

208 and 301. These tests were

conducted after structural modifications

at seat belt assembly anchorage points.

That are depicted in structural drawings

that were granted confidentiality by

NHTSA’s Office of Chief Counsel under

49 CFR part 512.

Standard No. 212 Windshield

Retention: application of adhesives to

the windshield’s edges.

Standard No. 214 Side Impact

Protection: The petitioner stated that

compliance with Standard 214 was

demonstrated in dynamic tests on both

sides of the vehicle conducted for the

petitioner by MGA Research

Corporation. These tests were

conducted after certain structural

modifications to the vehicle. The

petitioner observed that no doors

opened on impact in the course of these

tests.

Standard No. 301 Fuel System

Integrity: The petitioner stated that

compliance with Standard 301 was

demonstrated in dynamic tests

conducted for the petitioner by MGA

Research Corporation. These tests were

made after fuel system modifications

made in conjunction with those

necessary to meet Environmental

Protection Agency (EPA) requirements.

The petitioner additionally stated that

a vehicle identification number (VIN)

plate must be attached to the left

windshield post and a reference and

certification label must be added in the

left front door post area to meet 49 CFR

part 565.

No comments were received in

response to the notice of petition. Based

on its review of the information

submitted by the petitioner, NHTSA has

decided to grant the petition.

Vehicle Eligibility Number for Subject

Vehicles

The importer of a vehicle admissible

under any final determination must

indicate on the form HS–7

accompanying entry the appropriate

vehicle eligibility number indicating

that the vehicle is eligible for entry.

VCP–17 is the vehicle eligibility number

assigned to vehicles admissible under

this determination.

Final Decision

Accordingly, on the basis of the

foregoing, NHTSA hereby decides that

1990–1999 Nissan GTS and GTR

Passenger cars 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 applicable

Federal motor vehicle safety standards.

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: January 12, 2000.

Marilynne Jacobs,

Director, Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance.

[FR Doc. 00–1125 Filed 1–18–00; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910–59–P

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

National Highway Traffic Safety

Administration

[Docket No. NHTSA–99–6685; Notice 1]

General Motors Corporation, Receipt

of Application for Decision of

Inconsequential Noncompliance

General Motors Corporation (GM) has

determined that certain 1999 Chevrolet

vehicles are not in full compliance with

Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard

(FMVSS) No. 120, ‘‘Tire selection and

rims for motor vehicles other than

passenger cars,’’ and has filed an

appropriate report pursuant to 49 CFR

part 573, ‘‘Defect and Noncompliance

Reports.’’ GM has also applied to be

exempted from the notification and

remedy requirements of 49 U.S.C.

Chapter 301—‘‘Motor Vehicle Safety’’

on the basis that the noncompliance and

defect (represented by the failures to

meet Part 567) are inconsequential to

motor vehicle safety.

This notice of receipt of an

application is published under 49

U.S.C. 30118 and 30120 and does not

represent any agency decision or other

exercise of judgment concerning the

merits of the application.

The purpose of FMVSS No. 120 is to

provide safe operation of vehicles by

ensuring that those vehicles are

equipped with tires of appropriate size

and load rating; and rims of appropriate

size and type designation. Paragraph

S5.2 of FMVSS No. 120 requires that

each rim or, at the option of the

manufacturer in the case of a singlepiece wheel, the wheel disc be marked

with specific information, including a

designation which indicates the source

of the rim’s published nominal

dimensions, and the rim size

designation, and in case of multipiece

rims, the rim designation. For example:

20 x 5.50, or 20 x 5.5.

Between March 1, 1999, and March

13, 1999, GM produced 11,522 Blazers

and S–10 trucks that may contain

wheels that are missing the width

designation in the rim marking on the

back side of the wheel. GM’s wheel

supplier, Reynolds-Rualca, Venezuela,

produced 3,721 wheels that had an error

in the rim size designation. Instead of

the correct rim size designation of

‘‘15x7,’’ these wheels have a rim size

designation of ‘‘15x7’’. The error

occurred when one the wheel casting

molds was refurbished. Of the 3,721

mis-marked wheels produced, a

maximum of mis-designated 1,658

wheels were installed on the Chevrolet

vehicles. The rim markings other than

the rim width designation were not

affected by the refurbishing error, and

the remainder of the rim marking

information, including rim diameter, is

correct on all of the 1,658 wheels.

GM supports its application for

inconsequential noncompliance by

stating the following:

1. ‘‘The tire and rim of the affected

wheels are properly matched, and are

appropriate for the load-carrying

characteristics of these vehicles. The

lack of complete marking has no effect

on the performance of the tire/rim

combination of the subject vehicles.’’

2. ‘‘These vehicles have a placard on

the left front door that contains the

correct and complete tire and rim sizes

installed on these vehicles. The placard

on the subject vehicles shows rim size

completely and correctly as 15x7J.’’

3. ‘‘The owner’s manual provided

with these vehicles contains a section

‘Buying New Tires.’ The text of this

section advises the customer that they

should look at the Certification/Tire

Label to find out what kind and size of

tires they need. It goes on to tell them

that they should get new tires with the

same Tire Performance Criteria

Specification (TPC Spec) that the

vehicle came with, and that they can

find the TPC number on each tire’s

sidewall. Finally it advises them that if

they were to replace the tires with those

not having the TPC Spec number found

on the original equipment tires, they

should make sure that the tires they

choose are the same size, load range,

speed rating and construction type as

the original tires. Nowhere are

customers told to look at the wheel to

determine the appropriate tire.’’