[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 159 (Monday, August 18, 1997)] [Notices] [Pages 44030-44031] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 97-21737] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION National Highway Traffic Safety Administration [Docket No. 97-054; Notice 1] Receipt of Petition for Decision That Nonconforming 1995 Ferrari F50 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 F50 passenger cars are eligible for importation. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: This document announces receipt by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) of a petition for a decision that a 1995 Ferrari F50 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 September 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 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. 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 F50 passenger cars are eligible for importation into the United States. The vehicle which J.K. believes is substantially similar is the 1995 Ferrari F50 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 F50 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 F50, 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 F50 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, 118 Power Window Systems, 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, 214 Side Impact Protection, 216 Roof Crush Resistance, 219 Windshield Zone Intrusion, and 301 Fuel System Integrity, 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) Substitution of a lens marked ``Brake'' for a lens with the ECE symbol on the brake failure indicator lamp; (b) 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 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 lamp. 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 warning buzzer microswitch in the steering lock assembly and a warning buzzer. Standard No. 208 Occupant Crash Protection: Installation of a seat belt warning buzzer, wired to the driver's seat belt latch. The petitioner states that the vehicle is equipped with motorized automatic shoulder belts and manual lap belts in the front designated seating positions and with ``rear belts.'' The petitioner describes these components as being identical to those found on the U.S.-certified 1995 Ferrari F50. Additionally, the petitioner states that the bumpers on the non- U.S. certified [[Page 44031]] 1995 Ferrari F50 must be modified to comply with the Bumper Standard found in 49 CFR part 581. The petitioner also states that a vehicle identification number plate that meets the requirements of 49 CFR part 565 must be affixed to the vehicle. 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: August 12, 1997. Marilynne Jacobs, Director, Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance. [FR Doc. 97-21737 Filed 8-15-97; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-59-P