Notice of Denial of Petition for Decision That Nonconforming Model Year 2014-2018 Chevrolet Cheyenne Trucks Are Eligible for Importation

Topics:  Chevrolet Silverado

Joseph Kolly
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
26 August 2021

[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 163 (Thursday, August 26, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 47721-47723]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-18357]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

[Docket No. NHTSA-2020-0107; Notice 2]


Notice of Denial of Petition for Decision That Nonconforming 
Model Year 2014-2018 Chevrolet Cheyenne Trucks Are Eligible for 
Importation

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

ACTION: Denial of petition for determination of import eligibility.

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SUMMARY: Diversified Vehicle Services, Inc. (DVS or Petitioner) has 
petitioned NHTSA for a decision that model year (MY) 2014-2018 
Chevrolet Cheyenne Trucks (TKs), which were not originally manufactured 
to comply with all applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standards 
(FMVSS), are eligible for importation into the United States. In its 
petition, DVS claims that these vehicles are eligible for import 
because they are substantially similar to Chevrolet Silverado TKs 
originally manufactured for sale in the United States and certified by 
their manufacturer as complying with all applicable FMVSS, and because 
they are capable of being readily altered to conform to the standards. 
This document announces the denial of DVS's petition.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert Mazurowski, Office of Vehicle 
Safety Compliance, NHTSA (202-366-1012).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    A motor vehicle that was not originally manufactured to conform to 
all applicable FMVSS may be eligible for import into the United States 
if NHTSA determines that the motor vehicle is: (1) Substantially 
similar to a motor vehicle originally manufactured for importation into 
and certified for sale in the United States, (2) of the same model year 
as the model of the motor

[[Page 47722]]

vehicle to which it is being compared, and (3) capable of being readily 
altered to conform to all applicable FMVSS. See 49 U.S.C. 
30141(a)(1)(A).\1\ If NHTSA determines that a nonconforming vehicle is 
import eligible, any such nonconforming vehicle imported into the 
United States must be modified into conformance and certified as 
conforming by a registered importer before it is sold or otherwise 
released from the custody of the registered importer. 49 U.S.C. 
30146(a)(1); 49 CFR 592.6.\2\
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    \1\ This provision was codified at 15 U.S.C. 1397(c)(3)(A) prior 
to the 1994 recodification of the transportation laws.
    \2\ A registered importer is an importer that has registered 
with NHTSA under 49 CFR part 592 and is therefore authorized to 
modify and then certify imported vehicles as compliant with all 
applicable FMVSS.
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    Petitions for import eligibility decisions may be submitted by 
either manufacturers or registered importers and must comply with the 
requirements set forth in 49 CFR 593.6. A petition based on the 
existence of a substantially similar conforming vehicle manufactured 
for import and certified for sale in the United States must include, 
among other things, ``[d]ata, views and arguments demonstrating that 
the vehicle [which is the subject of the petition] is substantially 
similar to the vehicle identified by the petitioner'' as a comparison 
vehicle. Id. Sec.  593.6(a)(4). The petition also must include, with 
respect to each of the FMVSS applicable to the comparison vehicle, 
``data, views, and arguments demonstrating that the vehicle [which is 
the subject of the petition] either was originally manufactured to 
conform to such standard, or is capable of being readily modified to 
conform to such standard.'' Id. Sec.  593.6(a)(4).
    As specified in 49 CFR 593.7, NHTSA publishes notice of each 
petition that it receives in the Federal Register and affords 
interested persons an opportunity to comment on the petition. At the 
close of the comment period, NHTSA decides whether the vehicle is 
eligible for importation based on the petition, its review of any 
comments received, and the agency's own analysis. NHTSA will grant a 
petition for import eligibility if it ``determines that the petition 
clearly demonstrates that the vehicle model is eligible for 
importation'' and will deny the petition if it ``determines that the 
petition does not clearly demonstrate that the vehicle model is 
eligible for importation.'' 49 CFR 593.7(e)-(f). NHTSA then publishes 
its decision and the reasons for it in the Federal Register. Id.

II. Summary of Petition

    DVS, a registered importer located in Indianapolis, Indiana, has 
petitioned NHTSA to decide whether nonconforming MY 2014-2018 Chevrolet 
Cheyenne TKs (the Subject Vehicles) are eligible for importation into 
the United States. Petitioner contends the Subject Vehicles are 
substantially similar to MY 2014-2018 Chevrolet Silverado TKs (the 
Comparison Vehicles) sold in the United States and certified by their 
manufacturer as conforming to all applicable FMVSS. The Chevrolet 
Cheyenne is a pick-up truck manufactured by General Motors (GM) for 
sale in Mexico. GM does not sell Cheyenne pick-up trucks in the United 
States.
    DVS's petition requests an import eligibility decision for five 
separate model years (MY 2014-2018) of the Subject Vehicles, but it 
does not distinguish between these different model years, does not 
state that it included a vehicle from each of these five model years in 
its analysis, and does not state that it compared each model year of 
the Subject Vehicles to the same model year of the Comparison 
vehicles.\3\ The petition includes no representations and states no 
factual basis for any representations regarding the similarity of the 
different model years of either the Subject Vehicles or the Comparison 
Vehicles.
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    \3\ NHTSA previously granted DVS permission to temporarily 
import multiple 2015 Chevrolet Cheyenne vehicles for purposes of 
preparing its petition. See 49 CFR 571.5(l). Nothing in DVS's 
petition suggests that its analysis involves any model year of the 
Subject Vehicles other than these 2015 Chevrolet Cheyenne vehicles.
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    Petitioner nonetheless asserts it compared the Subject Vehicles to 
the Comparison Vehicles and ``believe[s]'' they are substantially 
similar in that the Subject Vehicles comply with ``the great majority 
of the standards'' to which the Comparison Vehicles are certified. 
Petitioner states that it further ``believe[s]'' that the Subject 
Vehicles are capable of being readily modified to conform to all 
remaining standards.'' Petitioner states that these beliefs are ``based 
on information obtained during a detailed inspection of the [Subject 
Vehicles] for which this determination is sought'' and that it 
``reviewed all available parts, service, and sales literature in order 
to thoroughly compare the two vehicles.'' Petitioner provides no 
details regarding its ``detailed inspection'' and does not identify any 
of the ``parts, service, and sales literature'' it reviewed.
    Specifically, Petitioner claims that, based on this comparison, it 
determined that the Subject Vehicles, as originally manufactured, 
conform to: 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; FMVSS No. 108, Lamps, Reflective Devices and 
Associated Equipment; FMVSS No. 110, Tire Selection and Rims; 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 System; 119, New Pneumatic 
Tires; 124, Accelerator Control Systems; 126, Electronic Stability 
Control Systems; 135, Light Vehicle Brake Systems; 138, Tire Pressure 
Monitoring Systems; 201, Occupant Protection in Interior Impact; 202, 
Head Restraints; 203, Impact Protection for Driver from Steering 
Control; 204, Steering Control Rearward Displacement; 205, Glazing 
Materials; 206, Door Locks and Door Retention Components; 207, Seating 
Systems; 208, Occupant Crash Protection; 209, Seat Belt Assemblies; 
210, Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages; 212, Windshield Mounting; 213, 
Child Restraint Systems; 214, Side Impact Resistance; 216, Roof Crush 
Resistance; 219, Windshield Zone Intrusion; 301, Fuel System Integrity; 
and 302, Flammability of Interior Materials. Petitioner also states the 
Subject Vehicles comply with 49 CFR part 541, Anti-Theft/Parts Marking 
Requirements; and 49 CFR part 565, VIN Requirements.
    Petitioner states that the Subject Vehicles, as built, are 
noncompliant with FMVSS No. 101, Controls and Displays, but contends 
that they can readily be conformed to this standard with replacing the 
faceplate for the instrument cluster with one that includes the word 
``BRAKE.'' Petitioner additionally states that a reference and 
certification label will be added to the left front door post area to 
meet the requirements of 49 CFR part 567, Certification Requirements. 
Petitioner states that the Subject Vehicles have a gross vehicle weight 
rating ``GVWR range of 6,800-7,200 lbs.,'' but provides no information 
regarding the GVWR of the Comparison Vehicles, as required by the 
applicable regulations. See 49 CFR 593.6(a)(1).

III. Public Comments

    A Notice of Receipt of DVS's Petition was published in the Federal 
Register for public comment for a period of 30 days. 85 FR 81268 (Dec. 
15, 2020). One public comment was submitted in response to the Notice 
of Receipt. GM,

[[Page 47723]]

the manufacturer of both the Subject Vehicles and the Comparison 
Vehicles, commented that;

    GM does not recommend that these vehicles be granted eligibility 
for importation into the United States. The owners of these vehicles 
will find it very difficult or impossible to get safety-critical 
repairs in the US.

GM further explained in its comment that its dealers in the US are only 
authorized to service US-designated vehicles under the terms of their 
existing franchise agreements, and that the Vehicle Identification 
Number (VIN) will not be recognized by the GM Multiple Diagnostic 
Interface (MDI) tool used at a US GM dealership.\4\
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    \4\ A copy of the comment submitted by GM may be found at docket 
ID: NHTSA-2020-0107-0002.
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IV. NHTSA's Analysis

    A petition to determine import eligibility must include all 
information required under the applicable authorities and must also 
include data, views, and arguments demonstrating the conclusions 
advanced by the petition. DVS's petition fails to meet these 
requirements because it does not include sufficient supporting 
information and relies almost exclusively on unsupported conclusory 
allegations. The petition fails to distinguish between five different 
model years of the Subject Vehicles and Comparison Vehicles or even 
confirm that DVS compared vehicles of the same model year. See 49 
U.S.C. 30141(a)(1)(A)(iii). The petition also fails to provide ``the 
gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of '' the Comparison Vehicles. 49 
CFR 593.6(a)(1). The petition does not provide adequate ``[d]ata, views 
and arguments demonstrating'' that the Comparison Vehicles are 
``substantially similar'' to the Subject Vehicles. Id. Sec.  
593.6(a)(4). The petition also fails to provide, ``[w]ith respect to 
each Federal motor vehicle safety standard'' applicable to the 
Comparison Vehicles, ``data, views, and arguments demonstrating'' that 
the Subject Vehicles either were ``originally manufactured to conform 
to such standard, or [are] capable of being readily modified to conform 
to such standard.'' Id. Sec.  593.6(a)(5).
    As the basis for its assertion that the Subject Vehicles are 
compliant with the FMVSS identified above, Petitioner simply repeats 
the statement that the ``MX-Cheyenne complies with the requirements of 
this standard and is identical to the U.S.-vehicle with respect to 
those requirements'' following a reference to each of these standards. 
Petitioner offers no factual or analytical support for any of these 
conclusory assertions. For two of the standards (FMVSS No. 138 (tire 
pressure monitoring systems) and FMVSS No. 208 (occupant crash 
protection)), Petitioner identifies various components by part number 
and states that the Subject Vehicles and the Comparison Vehicles employ 
identical components. Petitioner did not submit any parts catalogs or 
any other technical resource for any model year of either the Subject 
Vehicles or the Comparison Vehicles to verify these assertions and 
fails to explain why the usage of identical parts would demonstrate 
that the Subject Vehicles, as built, were compliant with these 
standards. For FMVSS No. 214 (side impact resistance), Petitioner 
states that it ``removed the interior trim on a door of [a Subject 
Vehicle] and confirm[ed] that the vehicle is originally equipped with 
door beams to comply with the requirements of this standard.'' This 
level of examination and analysis does not demonstrate compliance for 
the Subject Vehicles because meeting the performance requirements of 
FMVSS No. 214 requires far more than the existence of door beams. See 
49 CFR 571.214.
    As part of its analysis of DVS's petition, NHTSA requested 
additional information from GM, the manufacturer of both the Subject 
Vehicles and the Comparison Vehicles.\5\ In response to NHTSA's 
question regarding the compliance of the Subject Vehicles with FMVSS 
requirements, GM explained that the Subject Vehicles, as built, fail to 
conform with the speedometer and odometer display requirements in FMVSS 
No. 101 (controls and displays), the tire placard requirements in FMVSS 
No. 110 (tires and rims), the language visibility requirements of FMVSS 
No. 135 (brake systems), and the passenger air bag telltale and visor 
warning requirements in FMVSS No. 208 (occupant crash protection). This 
information directly contradicts Petitioner's assertion that the 
Subject Vehicles, as built, were compliant with these requirements.
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    \5\ A copy of GM's response may be found at docket ID: NHTSA-
2020-0107-0003.
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    In regard to the Subject Vehicles, GM also explained that tire 
pressure monitoring systems (TPMS) are not required in Mexico, and each 
imported vehicle would therefore have to be checked to verify that it 
had an optional FMVSS No. 138 compliant TPMS installed at the time of 
manufacture. This information directly contradicts Petitioner's 
assertion that all Subject Vehicles, as built, are equipped with a 
FMVSS No. 138 compliant TPMS. Finally, GM explained that there is a 
unique engine and manual transmission combination available for the 
Subject Vehicles in Mexico, and that GM has no documentation 
demonstrating compliance of vehicles so equipped with FMVSS No. 102 
(transmission shift position sequence), FMVSS No. 114 (rollaway 
prevention), and FMVSS No. 124 (accelerator control). Petitioner 
provided no information regarding this particular engine and 
transmission combination, no basis for identifying its presence or 
absence in the Subject Vehicles, and no information regarding whether 
Subject Vehicles with this unique engine and transmission combination 
could be modified to conform with the relevant FMVSS.

V. NHTSA's Decision

    Petitioner has failed to demonstrate that the Subject Vehicles are 
substantially similar to the Comparison Vehicles, failed to demonstrate 
that its comparison of the Subject Vehicles to the Comparison Vehicles 
involved vehicles of the same model year, and failed to demonstrate 
that the Subject Vehicles are either compliant with or capable of being 
readily altered to comply with all applicable FMVSS. The petition is 
therefore denied. Pursuant to 49 CFR 593.7(e), NHTSA will not consider 
a new petition covering the models that are the subject of this 
decision until at least three months from the date of this notice of 
denial.

(Authority: 49 U.S.C. 30118, 30120: Delegations of authority at 49 
CFR 1.95 and 501.8)

Joseph Kolly,
Acting Associate Administrator for Enforcement.
[FR Doc. 2021-18357 Filed 8-25-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-59-P