Document ID: NHTSA-2020-0037-0001
Agency: nhtsa
Document Type: Notice
Title: Petition for Decision: Nonconforming Model Year 1997 Jeep Wrangler Multi-purpose Vehicles are Eligible for Importation
Posted Date: 2021-01-04T05:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 1 (Monday, January 4, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 183-184]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-29041]

[[Page 183]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

[Docket No. NHTSA-2020-0037; Notice 1]

Notice of Receipt of Petition for Decision That Nonconforming 
Model Year 1997 Jeep Wrangler Multi-Purpose Vehicles Are Eligible for 
Importation

AGENCY: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Receipt of petition.

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SUMMARY: This document announces the National Highway Traffic Safety 
Administration (NHTSA) receipt of a petition for a decision that model 
year (MY) 1997 Jeep Wrangler multi-purpose vehicles (MPVs) that were 
not originally manufactured to comply with all applicable Federal motor 
vehicle safety standards (FMVSS), are eligible for importation into the 
United States because they are substantially similar to vehicles that 
were originally manufactured for sale in the United States and that 
were certified by their manufacturer as complying with the safety 
standards (the U.S.-certified version of the 1997 Jeep Wrangler MPVs) 
and are capable of being readily altered to conform to the standards.

DATES: The closing date for comments on the petition is February 3, 
2021.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written data, 
views, and arguments on this petition. Comments must refer to the 
docket and notice number cited in the title of this notice and may be 
submitted by any of the following methods:
     Mail: Send comments by mail addressed to the U.S. 
Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building 
Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 
20590.
     Hand Delivery: Deliver comments by hand to the U.S. 
Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building 
Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 
20590. The Docket Section is open on weekdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 
except for Federal Holidays.
     Electronically: Submit comments electronically by logging 
onto the Federal Docket Management System (FDMS) website at https://www.regulations.gov/. Follow the online instructions for submitting 
comments.
     Comments may also be faxed to (202) 493-2251.
    Comments must be written in the English language, and be no greater 
than 15 pages in length, although there is no limit to the length of 
necessary attachments to the comments. If comments are submitted in 
hard copy form, please ensure that two copies are provided. If you wish 
to receive confirmation that comments you have submitted by mail were 
received, please enclose a stamped, self-addressed postcard along with 
the comments. Note that all comments received will be posted without 
change to https://www.regulations.gov, including any personal 
information provided.
    All comments and supporting materials received before the close of 
business on the closing date indicated above will be filed in the 
docket and will be considered. All comments and supporting materials 
received after the closing date will also be filed and will be 
considered to the fullest extent possible.
    All comments, background documentation, and supporting materials 
submitted to the docket may be viewed by anyone at the address and 
times given above. The documents may also be viewed on the internet at 
https://www.regulations.gov by following the online instructions for 
accessing the dockets. The docket ID number for this petition is shown 
in the heading of this notice.
    DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement is available for review in a 
Federal Register notice published on April 11, 2000, (65 FR 19477-78).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert Mazurowski, Office of Vehicle 
Safety Compliance, NHTSA (202-366-1012).

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 FMVSS 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 MY as the 
model of the motor vehicle to be compared, and is capable of being 
readily altered to conform to all applicable FMVSS.
    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 
of each petition that it receives in the Federal Register, 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.
    Wallace Environmental Testing Laboratories, Inc. (WETL), 
(Registered Importer R-90-005), of Houston, Texas has petitioned NHTSA 
to decide whether nonconforming 1997 Jeep Wrangler MPVs are eligible 
for importation into the United States. The vehicles which Wallace 
Environmental Testing Laboratories, Inc. believes are substantially 
similar are MY 1997 Jeep Wrangler MPVs sold in the United States and 
certified by their manufacturer as conforming to all applicable FMVSS.
    The petitioner claims that it compared non-U.S. certified MY 1997 
Jeep Wrangler MPVs to their U.S. certified counterparts, and found the 
vehicles to be substantially similar with respect to compliance with 
most FMVSS.
    Wallace Environmental Testing Laboratories, Inc. submitted 
information with its petition intended to demonstrate that non-U.S. 
certified MY 1997 Jeep Wrangler MPVs, as originally manufactured, 
conform to many applicable FMVSS in the same manner as their U.S.-
certified counterparts, or are capable of being readily altered to 
conform to those standards. Specifically, the petitioner claims that 
the non-U.S. certified MY 1997 Jeep Wrangler MPVs, as originally 
manufactured, conform to: FMVSS Nos. 102, Transmission Shift Position 
Sequence, Starter Interlock, and Transmission Braking Effect, 103, 
Windshield Defrosting and Defogging Systems, 104, Windshield Wiping and 
Washing Systems, 106, Brake Hoses, 108, Lamps, Reflective Devices, and 
Associated Equipment, 109, New Pneumatic and Certain Specialty Tires, 
113, Hood Latch System, 116, Motor Vehicle Brake Fluids, 118, Power-
Operated Window, Partition, and Roof Panel System, 124, Accelerator 
Control Systems, 135, Light Vehicle Brake Systems, 201, Occupant 
Protection in Interior Impact, 202, Head Restraints; Applicable at the 
Manufacturers Option until September 1, 2009, 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, 210, Seat Belt Assembly 
Anchorages, 212, Windshield Mounting, 213, Child Restraint Systems,

[[Page 184]]

219, Windshield Zone Intrusion, 225, Child Restraint Anchorage Systems, 
301, Fuel System Integrity, and 302, Flammability of Interior 
Materials.
    The petitioner also contends that the subject non-U.S. certified 
vehicles are capable of being readily altered to meet the following 
FMVSS, in the manner indicated:
    FMVSS No. 101, Controls and Displays: The instrument cluster will 
require replacement with a part meeting the requirements of this 
standard. FMVSS No. 110, Tire Selection and Rims and Motor Home/
Recreation Vehicle Trailer Load Carrying Capacity Information for Motor 
Vehicles with a GVWR of 4,536 kilograms (10,000 pounds) or Less: The 
addition of a tire label is required. FMVSS No. 111, Rear Visibility: 
Inscription of the required warning statement on the face of the 
passenger mirror. FMVSS No. 114, Theft Protection: The addition of an 
audible anti-theft system is required, which gongs when the key is left 
in the ignition module and the driver's door is opened. FMVSS No. 208, 
Occupant Crash Protection: Both front and rear outboard designated 
seating positions will require replacement with Type 2 seat belts. 
However, the petitioner notes ``driver and passenger front outboard 
seating positions are equipped with US version air bag systems and knee 
bolsters''. FMVSS No. 209, Seat Belt Assemblies: Both front and rear 
outboard designated seating positions will require replacement with 
Type 2 seat belts.
    The petitioner additionally states that all vehicles will be 
inspected prior to importation for compliance with the Theft Prevention 
Standard per 49 CFR part 541. The petitioner further states a vehicle 
identification plate must be affixed to the vehicle, near the left 
windshield pillar, to meet the requirements of 49 CFR part 565, as well 
as, a reference and certification label added to the left front door 
post area to meet the requirements of 49 CFR part 567.

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 30141(a)(1)(A), (a)(1)(B), and (b)(1); 49 
CFR 593.7; delegation of authority at 49 CFR 1.95 and 501.8.

Otto G. Matheke III,
Director, Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance.
[FR Doc. 2020-29041 Filed 12-31-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-59-P