[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 70 (Wednesday, April 12, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 18659-18660]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-8963]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
[Docket No. 95-25; Notice 1]


Notice of Receipt of Petition for Decision That Nonconforming 
1994 and 1995 Ford Escort RS Cosworth Passenger Cars Are Eligible for 
Importation

AGENCY: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of receipt of petition for decision that nonconforming 
1994 and 1995 Ford Escort RS Cosworth 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 1994 
and 1995 Ford Escort RS Cosworth passenger cars that were 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 closing date for comments on the petition is May 12, 1995.

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) (formerly section 108(c)(3)(A)(i)(I) 
of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act (the Act)), 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 Sates 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 (formerly section 114 of the Act), 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) (formerly section 108(c)(3)(A)(i)(II) of the Act, 15 
U.S.C. 1397(c)(3)(A)(i)(II)) 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 decision in 
the Federal Register.
    Sun International Racing of Manhattan Beach, California (Registered 
Importer R-95-050), has petitioned NHTSA to decide whether 1994 and 
1995 Ford Escort RS Cosworth passenger cars are eligible for 
importation into the United States. The petitioner contends that these 
vehicles are eligible for importation under 49 U.S.C. 30141(a)(1)(B) 
because they have safety features that comply with, or are capable of 
being altered to comply with, all applicable Federal motor vehicle 
safety standards.
    Specifically, the petitioner claims that the 1994 and 1995 Ford 
Escort RS Cosworth have safety features that comply 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, 107 Reflecting Surfaces, 109 
New Pneumatic Tires, 113 Hood Latch Systems, 116 Brake Fluids, 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, 211 Wheel Nuts, Wheel Discs and Hubcaps, 212 
Windshield Retention, 214 Side Impact Protection, 216 Roof Crush 
Resistance, 219 Windshield Zone Intrusion, 301 Fuel System Integrity, 
and 302 Flammability of Interior Materials. [[Page 18660]] 
    The petitioner further 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 an ECE symbol on the brake failure 
indicator lamp; (b) inscription of the letters ``ABS'' on the antilock 
brake system warning light; (c) recalibration of the speedometer/
odometer from kilometers to miles per hour.
    Standard No. 108 Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated 
Equipment: (a) Installation of U.S.-model sealed beam headlamps; (b) 
installation of sidemarker lamps and reflectors; (c) installation of a 
high-mounted stop lamp.
    Standard No. 110 Tire Selection and Rims: Installation of a tire 
information placard.
    Standard No. 111 Rearview Mirrors: (a) Replacement of the driver's 
side rearview mirror with one having a flat reflective surface; (b) 
inscription of the required warning statement on the passenger side 
rearview mirror.
    Standard No. 114 Theft Protection: Installation of a warning buzzer 
system.
    Standard No. 115 Vehicle Identification Number: Installation of a 
VIN plate on the left side of the vehicle that is readable from outside 
the driver's side of the windshield.
    Standard No. 118 Power-Operated Window Systems: disconnection of 
the driver's side door jamb switch so that the window transport is 
inoperative when the ignition is switched off.
    Standard No. 208 Occupant Crash Protection: (a) Installation of an 
air bag warning label; (b) installation of a seat belt warning buzzer. 
The petitioner states that the vehicle is equipped with both driver's 
and passenger side air bags, Type 2 seat belts in the front and rear 
outboard seating positions, and a Type 1 seat belt in the rear center 
seating position.
    Additionally, the petitioner claims that reinforcing material must 
be installed for the 1994 and 1995 Ford Escort RS Cosworth to comply 
with the Bumper Standard found in 49 CFR part 581.
    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)(B) and (b)(1); 49 CFR 593.8; 
delegations of authority at 49 CFR 1.50 and 501.8.

    Issued on: April 6, 1995.
Marilynne E. Jacobs,
Director, Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance.
[FR Doc. 95-8963 Filed 4-11-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-59-M