Notice of Receipt of Petition for Decision That Nonconforming Model Year 2007 Jeep Wrangler Multipurpose Passenger Vehicles Are Eligible for Importation

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

[Docket No. NHTSA-2017-0056; Notice 1]

Notice of Receipt of Petition for Decision That Nonconforming Model Year 2007 Jeep Wrangler Multipurpose Passenger Vehicles Are Eligible for Importation

AGENCY:

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

ACTION:

Receipt of petition.

SUMMARY:

This document announces receipt by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) of a petition for a decision that model year (MY) 2007 Jeep Wrangler Multipurpose Passenger Vehicles (MPV) manufactured before September 1, 2007, 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, specifically the U.S.-certified version of the 2007 Jeep Wrangler MPV manufactured before September 1, 2007, and they are capable of being readily altered to conform to the standards.

DATES:

The closing date for comments on the petition is April 2, 2018.

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 submitted by any of the following methods:

•

Mail:

Send comments by mail addressed to 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 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 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 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.

When the petition is granted or denied, notice of the decision will also be published in the

Federal Register

pursuant to the authority indicated at the end of this notice.

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:

George Stevens, Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance, NHTSA (202 366 5308).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. History:

Under 49 U.S.C. 30141(a)(1)(A), a motor vehicle that was not originally manufactured to conform to all applicable FMVSS (49 CFR 571) 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 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

Processing of Petitions,

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

.

II. Summary of Petition:

Wallace Environmental Testing Laboratories, Inc. (WETL) of Houston, Texas (Registered Importer R-90-005) has petitioned NHTSA to decide whether nonconforming 2007 Jeep Wrangler Multipurpose Passenger Vehicles (MPV)

manufactured before September 1, 2007 are eligible for importation into the United States. The vehicles which WETL believes are substantially similar are MY 2007 Jeep Wrangler MPV manufactured before September 1, 2007, 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 2007 Jeep Wrangler MPV manufactured before September 1, 2007 to their U.S.-certified counterparts, and found the vehicles to be substantially similar with respect to compliance with most FMVSS.

WETL submitted information with its petition intended to demonstrate that non-U.S. certified MY 2007 Jeep Wrangler MPV manufactured before September 1, 2007, 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 2007 Jeep Wrangler MPV manufactured before September 1, 2007, as originally manufactured, conforms to the following standards: 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,

111

Rearview Mirrors,

113

Hood Latch System,

114

Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention,

116

Motor Vehicle Brake Fluids,

118

Power-Operated Window, Partition, and Roof Panel Systems,

124

Accelerator Control Systems,

135

Light Vehicle Brake 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,

208

Occupant Crash Protection,

210

Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages,

212

Windshield Mounting,

214

Side Impact Protection,

216

Roof Crush Resistance,

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 standard, in the manner indicated:

Standard No. 101

Controls and Displays:

Installation of the U.S. version of the instrument cluster, or changing the faceplate to include the word “brake” on the brake system malfunction telltale.

Standard No. 110

Tire Selection and Rims:

Installation of the required tire information placard.

The petitioner additionally states that a vehicle identification plate must be affixed to the vehicle near the left windshield pillar to meet the requirements of 49 CFR part 565, and that a Registered Importer Certification Label must be affixed to the vehicle in the driver's side door jamb to satisfy the requirements of 49 CFR part 567.

III. Comments:

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 addresses 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), (a)(1)(B), and (b)(1); 49 CFR 593.7; delegation of authority at 49 CFR 1.95 and 501.8.

Claudia Covell,

Acting Director, Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance.

[FR Doc. 2018-04214 Filed 3-1-18; 8:45 am]

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