[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 95 (Monday, May 18, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 27344-27345]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-13074]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

[Docket No. NHTSA-98-3823]


Notice of Receipt of Petition for Decision That Nonconforming 
1995 Ferrari F355 Passenger Cars Are Eligible for Importation

AGENCY: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of receipt of petition for decision that nonconforming 
1995 Ferrari F355 passenger 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 1995 
Ferrari F355 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 June 17, 1998.

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. Sec. 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. Sec. 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.
    J.K. Motors of Kingsville, Maryland (``J.K.'') (Registered Importer 
90-006) has petitioned NHTSA to decide whether 1995 Ferrari F355 
passenger cars are eligible for importation into the United States. The 
vehicle which J.K. believes is substantially similar is the 1995 
Ferrari F355 that 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 non-U.S. 
certified 1995 Ferrari F355 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.
    J.K. submitted information with its petition intended to 
demonstrate that the non-U.S. certified 1995 Ferrari F355, 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 
1995 Ferrari F355 is identical to its U.S. certified counterpart with 
respect to compliance with Standards Nos. 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, 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, 216 Roof Crush 
Resistance, 219 Windshield Zone Intrusion, 301 Fuel System Integrity, 
and 302 Flammability of Interior Materials.
    Petitioner also contends that the vehicle is capable of being 
readily

[[Page 27345]]

altered to meet the following standards, in the manner indicated:
    Standard No. 101 Controls and Displays: (a) inscription of the word 
``Brake'' on the dash, in place of the international ECE warning 
symbol; (b) replacement of the speedometer/odometer with one calibrated 
in miles per hour.
    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 taillamp assemblies 
and rear sidemarker lights; (c) installation of a U.S.-model high-
mounted stop light assembly.
    Standard No. 110 Tire Selection and Rims: installation of a tire 
information placard.
    Standard No. 111 Rearview Mirror: replacement of the passenger side 
rearview mirror with a U.S.-model component.
    Standard No. 114 Theft Protection: installation of a key 
microswitch and a warning buzzer.
    Standard No. 118 Power Window Systems: installation of a relay in 
the power window system so that the window transport is inoperative 
when the ignition is switched off.
    Standard No. 208 Occupant Crash Protection: (a) installation of a 
seat belt warning buzzer wired to the seat belt latch; (b) replacement 
of the seat belts and the driver's and passenger's side air bags, knee 
bolsters, control unit and sensors with U.S.-model components on 
vehicles that are not so equipped. The petitioner states that the 
vehicle is equipped with combination lap and shoulder restraints that 
are automatic, self-tensioning, and that release by means of a single 
red push button at both front designated seating positions.
    Standard No. 214 Side Impact Protection: installation of door bars 
on vehicles that are not so equipped.
    With regard to compliance with the Bumper Standard found in 49 CFR 
Part 581, the petitioner states that the bumpers and the support 
structure for the bumpers on the non-U.S. certified 1995 Ferrari F355 
are identical to those found on the vehicle's U.S. certified 
counterpart. The petitioner notes, however, that some of these bumpers 
may have to be replaced if they do not have holes cut into the side to 
accommodate side marker lights.
    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 12, 1998.
Marilynne Jacobs,
Director Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance.
[FR Doc. 98-13074 Filed 5-15-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-59-P