[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 123 (Tuesday, June 25, 1996)] [Notices] [Pages 32891-32892] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 96-16117] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION National Highway Traffic Safety Administration [Docket No. 96-058; Notice 1] Notice of Receipt of Petition for Decision That Nonconforming 1983 Yamaha RD 350 Motorcycles Are Eligible for Importation AGENCY: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, DOT. ACTION: Notice of receipt of petition for decision that nonconforming 1983 Yamaha RD 350 motorcycles are eligible for importation. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: This notice announces receipt by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) of a petition for a decision that a 1983 Yamaha RD 350 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. DATE: The closing date for comments on the petition is July 25, 1996. 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 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 (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. 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. [[Page 32892]] Champagne Imports, Inc. of Lansdale, Pennsylvania (``Champagne'') (Registered Importer 90-009) has petitioned NHTSA to decide whether 1983 Yamaha RD 350 motorcycles are eligible for importation into the United States. The vehicle which Champagne believes is substantially similar is the 1983 Yamaha RZ 350, which was manufactured for importation into, and sale in, the United States and certified by its manufacturer, Yamaha Motor Company, as conforming to all applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standards. The petitioner claims that it carefully compared the 1983 Yamaha RD 350 to the 1983 Yamaha RZ 350, 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 Yamaha RD 350, as originally manufactured, conforms to many Federal motor vehicle safety standards in the same manner as the 1983 Yamaha RZ 350, or is capable of being readily altered to conform to those standards. Specifically, the petitioner claims that the 1983 Yamaha RD 350 is identical to the 1983 Yamaha RZ 350 with respect to compliance with Standards Nos. 106 Brake Hoses, 111 Rearview Mirrors, 115 Vehicle Identification Number, 116 Brake Fluid, 119 New Pneumatic Tires for Vehicles other than Passenger Cars, 120 Tire Selection and Rims 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. 123 Motorcycle Controls and Displays: installation of a U.S. model speedometer calibrated in miles per hour. 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: June 19, 1996. Marilynne Jacobs, Director, Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance. [FR Doc. 96-16117 Filed 6-24-96; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-59-P