[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 179 (Tuesday, September 16, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 48710-48711]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-24428]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
[Docket No. 97-039; Notice 2]


Decision that Nonconforming 1990-1996 Toyota Landcruiser Multi-
Purpose Passenger Vehicles are Eligible for Importation

AGENCY: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of decision by NHTSA that nonconforming 1990-1996 Toyota 
Landcruisers multi-purpose passenger vehicles (MPVs) are eligible for 
importation.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces the decision by NHTSA that 1990-1996 
Toyota Landcruiser MPVs 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 
1990-1996 Toyota Landcruiser), and they are capable of being readily 
altered to conform to the standards.

DATES: This decision is effective as of September 16, 1997.

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

[[Page 48711]]

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 (Registered 
Importer R-90-009) petitioned NHTSA to decide whether 1990-1996 Toyota 
Landcruisers are eligible for importation into the United States. NHTSA 
published notice of the petition on July 15, 1997 (62 FR 37950) to 
afford an opportunity for public comment. The reader is referred to 
that notice for a thorough description of the petition. No comments 
were received in response to the notice. 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 decision must 
indicate on the form HS-7 accompanying entry the appropriate vehicle 
eligibility number indicating that the vehicle is eligible for entry. 
VSP-218 is the eligibility number assigned to vehicles admissible under 
this decision.

Final Decision

    Accordingly, on the basis of the foregoing, NHTSA hereby decides 
that 1990-1996 Toyota Landcruisers not originally manufactured to 
comply with all applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standards are 
substantially similar to 1990-1996 Toyota Landcruisers 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: September 9, 1997.
Marilynne Jacobs,
Director, Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance.
[FR Doc. 97-24428 Filed 9-15-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-59-P