# Notice of Receipt of Petition for Decision That Nonconforming 1990-1994, 1996 and 1997 Saab 900 SE Passenger Cars Are Eligible for Importation > Briefs, arguments, decisions, and more. URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/documents/fr%3A97-20522 ## Record - **Collection:** Federal Register - **Document type:** Notice - **Published:** August 5, 1997 - **Citation:** 62 FR 42157 ## Text DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION National Highway Traffic Safety Administration [Docket No. 97-048; Notice 1] Notice of Receipt of Petition for Decision That Nonconforming 1990-1994, 1996 and 1997 Saab 900 SE Passenger Cars Are Eligible for Importation AGENCY: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, DOT. ACTION: Notice of receipt of petition for decision that nonconforming 1990-1994, 1996 and 1997 Saab 900 SE 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 1990-1994, 1996, and 1997 Saab 900 SE passenger cars that were not originally manufactured to comply with all applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standards are eligible for importation into the United States because (1) They are substantially similar to vehicles that were originally manufactured for importation into, and sale in, the United States and that were certified by their manufacturer as complying with the safety standards, and (2) they are capable of being readily altered to conform to the standards. DATES: The closing date for comments on the petition is September 4, 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). 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 [[Page 42158]] 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 (``Champagne'') (Registered Importer 90-009) has petitioned NHTSA to decide whether 1990-1994, 1996, and 1997 Saab 900 SE passenger cars are eligible for importation into the United States. The vehicles which Champagne believes are substantially similar are the 1990-1994, 1996, and 1997 Saab 900 SE that were manufactured for importation into, and sale in, the United States and certified by their manufacturer as conforming to all applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standards. The petitioner claims that it carefully compared non-U.S. certified 1990-1994, 1996, and 1997 Saab 900 SE passenger cars to their U.S. certified counterparts, and found the 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 non-U.S. certified 1990-1994, 1996, and 1997 Saab 900 SE passenger cars, as originally manufactured, conform to many Federal motor vehicle safety standards 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 non-U.S. certified 1990- 1994, 1996, and 1997 Saab 900 SE passenger cars are identical to their U.S. certified counterparts 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, 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. Additionally, the petitioner states that non-U.S. certified 1990- 1994, 1996 and 1997 Saab 900 SE passenger cars comply with the Bumper Standard found in 49 CFR part 581. Petitioner also contends that non-U.S. certified 1990-1994, 1996 and 1997 Saab 900 SE passenger cars are 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 a noncomplying symbol on the brake failure indicator lamp; (b) installation of a seat belt warning lamp that 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. Standard No. 110 Tire Selection and Rims: Installation of a tire information placard. Standard No. 111 Rearview Mirror: Replacement of the convex passenger side rearview mirror. Standard No. 114 Theft Protection: Installation of a warning buzzer microswitch and a warning buzzer in the steering lock assembly. 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 positions, 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; (c) replacement of the driver's and passenger's side air bags and knee bolsters on vehicles that are so-equipped if these are not U.S.-model components. (The petitioner states that the 1990 Saab 900 SE has no air bags and that the 1991 through 1993 models are equipped with driver's side air bags alone.) The petitioner states that the vehicles are also equipped with a combination lap and shoulder restraint that adjusts by means of an automatic retractor and releases by means of a single push button in each front designated seating position, with a combination lap and shoulder restraint that releases by means of a single push button in 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. The petitioner also states that a vehicle identification number plate that meets the requirements of 49 CFR part 565 will be affixed to the non-U.S. certified Saab 900 SE passenger cars. 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, SW., 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: July 30, 1997. Marilynne Jacobs, Director, Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance. [FR Doc. 97-20522 Filed 8-4-97; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-59-U --- Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/documents/fr%3A97-20522. Public record. Not legal advice.