[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 29 (Wednesday, February 12, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 6614-6615]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-3450]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
[Docket No. 97-010; Notice 1]


Notice of Receipt of Petition for Decision That Nonconforming 
1983 Suzuki GSX750 Motorcycles Are Eligible for Importation

AGENCY: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of receipt of petition for decision that nonconforming 
1983 Suzuki GSX750 motorcycles are eligible for importation.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces receipt by the National Highway Traffic 
Safety Administration (NHTSA) of a petition for a decision that a 1983 
Suzuki GSX750 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 importation 
into and 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 March 14, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Comments should refer to the docket number and notice 
number, and be submitted to: Docket Section, Room 5109, National 
Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 400 Seventh St., SW, Washington, 
DC 20590. [Docket hours are from 9:30 am to 4 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.
    Champagne Imports, Inc. of Lansdale, Pennsylvania (``Champagne'') 
(Registered Importer 90-009) has petitioned NHTSA to decide whether 
1983 Suzuki GSX750 motorcycles are eligible for importation into the 
United States. The vehicle which Champagne believes is substantially 
similar is the 1983 Suzuki GS750, which was manufactured for 
importation into, and sale in, the United States and certified by its 
manufacturer as conforming to all applicable Federal motor vehicle 
safety standards.
    The petitioner claims that it carefully compared the 1983 Suzuki 
GSX750 to the 1983 Suzuki GS750, and found the two vehicles to be 
substantially similar with respect to compliance with most Federal 
motor vehicle safety standards.
    Champagne submitted information with its petition intended to 
demonstrate that the 1983 Suzuki GSX750, as originally manufactured, 
conforms to many Federal motor vehicle safety standards in the same 
manner as the 1983 Suzuki GS750, or is capable of being readily altered 
to conform to those standards.

[[Page 6615]]

    Specifically, the petitioner claims that the 1983 Suzuki GSX750 is 
identical to the 1983 Suzuki GS750 with respect to compliance with 
Standard Nos. 106  Brake Hoses, 111  Rearview Mirrors, 116  Brake 
Fluid, 119  New Pneumatic Tires for Vehicles other than Passenger Cars, 
and 122  Motorcycle Brake Systems.
    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: installation of U.S.-model headlamp assemblies.
    Standard No. 120  Tire Selection and Rims for Vehicles other than 
Passenger Cars: installation of a tire information placard.
    Standard No. 123  Motorcycle Controls and Displays: installation of 
a U.S. model speedometer calibrated in miles per hour.
    Petitioner also states that a vehicle identification number plate 
will be affixed to the vehicle to meet the requirements of 49 CFR Part 
565.
    Comments should refer to the docket number and be submitted to: 
Docket Section, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Room 
5109, 400 Seventh Street, S.W., Washington, DC 20590. 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: February 6, 1997.
Marilynne Jacobs,
Director, Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance.
[FR Doc. 97-3450 Filed 2-11-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-59-P