[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 244 (Wednesday, December 18, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 66742-66743]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-32082]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
[Docket No. 96-125; Notice 1]
Notice of Receipt of Petition for Decision That Nonconforming
1989 Alfa Romeo 164 Passenger Cars Are Eligible for Importation
AGENCY: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of receipt of petition for decision that nonconforming
1989 Alfa Romeo 164 passenger cars 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 1989
Alfa Romeo 164 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 January 17,
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 a.m. to 4 p.m.]
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: George Entwistle, Office of Vehicle
Safety Compliance, NHTSA (202-366-5306).
[[Page 66743]]
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 (Registered
Importer No. R-90-009) has petitioned NHTSA to decide whether 1989 Alfa
Romeo 164 passenger cars are eligible for importation into the United
States. The vehicle which Champagne believes is substantially similar
is the 1989 Alfa Romeo Milano. Champagne has submitted information
indicating that the manufacturer of the 1989 Alfa Romeo Milano
certified that vehicle as conforming to all applicable Federal motor
vehicle safety standards and offered it for sale in the United States.
The petitioner contends that it carefully compared the 1989 Alfa
Romeo 164 to the 1989 Alfa Romeo Milano, and found the two models to be
substantially similar with respect to compliance with most applicable
Federal motor vehicle safety standards.
Champagne submitted information with its petition intended to
demonstrate that the 1989 Alfa Romeo 164, as originally manufactured,
conforms to many Federal motor vehicle safety standards in the same
manner as the 1989 Alfa Romeo Milano that was offered for sale in the
United States, or is capable of being readily altered to conform to
those standards.
Specifically, the petitioner claims that the 1989 Alfa Romeo 164 is
identical to the certified 1989 Alfa Romeo Milano 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, 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.
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) inscription of the word
``Brake'' on the brake failure indicator lamp lens; (b) installation of
a seat belt warning lamp which 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) 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 (d)
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: replacement of the convex
passenger side rear view 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. 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
combination lap and shoulder restraints that adjust by means of an
automatic retractor and release by means of a single push button at
each front designated seating position. Additionally, the petitioner
states that the vehicle is equipped with combination lap and shoulder
restraints that release by means of a single release button at each
rear outboard designated seating position, and with a lap belt in the
rear center designated seating position.
Standard No. 214 Side Impact Protection: installation of
reinforcing beams.
Standard No. 301 Fuel System Integrity: installation of a rollover
valve in the fuel tank vent line between the fuel tank and the
evaporative emissions collection canister.
Additionally, the petitioner states that the bumpers on the 1989
Alfa Romeo 164 must be reinforced or replaced with U.S.-model
components to comply with the Bumper Standard found in 49 CFR Part 581.
The petitioner also states that a VIN plate must be installed on
the vehicle so that it can be read from outside the left windshield
pillar, and a VIN reference label must be installed on the edge of the
door or latch post nearest the driver 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, 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: December 12, 1996.
Marilynne Jacobs,
Director, Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance.
[FR Doc. 96-32082 Filed 12-17-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-59-P