[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 66 (Monday, April 7, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16640-16641]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-8823]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
[Docket No. 97-018; Notice 1]


Notice of Receipt of Petition for Decision That Nonconforming 
1991 Jeep Cherokee Multi-Purpose Passenger Vehicles Are Eligible for 
Importation

AGENCY: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of receipt of petition for decision that nonconforming 
1991 Jeep Cherokee multi-purpose passenger vehicles (MPVs) cars 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 1991 
Jeep Cherokee manufactured for the European market 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 May 7, 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 
1991 Jeep Cherokee MPVs manufactured for the European market are 
eligible for importation into the United States. The vehicle which 
Champagne believes is substantially similar is the 1991 Jeep Cherokee 
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 1991 Jeep Cherokee to its U.S. certified counterpart, 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 non-U.S. certified 1991 Jeep Cherokee, as 
originally manufactured, conforms to many Federal motor vehicle safety 
standards in the same manner as its U.S. certified counterpart, or is 
capable of being readily altered to conform to those standards.
    Specifically, the petitioner claims that the non-U.S. certified 
1991 Jeep Cherokee is identical to its U.S. certified counterpart with 
respect to compliance with Standard Nos. 102  Transmission Shift Lever 
Sequence * * *, 103  Defrosting and Defogging Systems, 104  Windshield 
Wiping and Washing Systems, 105  Hydraulic Brake Systems, 106  Brake 
Hoses, 113  Hood Latch Systems, 116  Brake Fluid, 119  New Pneumatic 
Tires, 124  Accelerator Control Systems, 201  Occupant Protection in 
Interior Impact, 202  Head Restraints, 203  Impact Protection for the 
Driver From the Steering Control System, 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, 216  
Roof Crush Resistance, 219  Windshield Zone Intrusion, and 302  
Flammability of Interior Materials.
    Additionally, petitioner contends that the non-U.S. certified 1991 
Jeep Cherokee 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. 101  Controls and Displays: (a) Substitution of a lens 
marked ``Brake'' for a lens with a noncomplying symbol on the brake 
failure indicator lamp; (b) installation of a seat belt warning lamp 
that displays the appropriate symbol; (c) recalibration of the 
speedometer/odometer from kilometers to miles per hour.
    Standard No. 108  Lamps, Reflective Devices and Associated 
Equipment: (a)

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Installation of U.S.-model headlamp assemblies; (b) installation of 
U.S.-model front and rear sidemarker/reflector assemblies; (c) 
installation of U.S.-model taillamp assemblies.
    Standard No. 111  Rearview Mirror: Replacement of the convex 
passenger side rearview mirror.
    Standard No. 114  Theft Protection: Installation of a warning 
buzzer microswitch in the steering lock assembly and a warning buzzer.
    Standard No. 118  Power Window Systems: Rewiring of the power 
window system so that the window transport is inoperative when the 
ignition is switched off.
    Standard No. 120  Tire Selection and Rims: Installation of a tire 
information placard.
    Standard No. 208  Occupant Crash Protection: (a) Installation of a 
U.S. model seat belt in the driver's position, or a belt webbing 
actuated microswitch inside the driver's seat belt retractor; (b) 
installation of an ignition switch actuated seat belt warning lamp and 
buzzer. The petitioner states that the vehicle is equipped with a 
combination lap and shoulder restraint that adjusts by means of an 
automatic retractor and releases by means of a single push button in 
each front designated seating position, with a combination lap and 
shoulder restraint that releases by means of a single push button in 
each rear outboard designated seating position, 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.
    The petitioner also states that a vehicle identification number 
plate must be affixed to the vehicle to meet the requirements of 49 CFR 
part 565.
    Interested persons are invited to submit comments on the petition 
described above. Comments should refer to the docket number and be 
submitted to: Docket Section, National Highway Traffic Safety 
Administration, Room 5109, 400 Seventh Street, SW., 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: April 2, 1997.
Marilynne Jacobs,
Director, Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance.
[FR Doc. 97-8823 Filed 4-4-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-59-P