Decision That Nonconforming 1988 Volvo 740 Sedans Are Eligible for Importation

Topics:  Volvo 740

William A. Boehly
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Federal Register
December 19, 1994

[Federal Register: December 19, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
[Docket No. 94-77; Notice 2]

 
Decision That Nonconforming 1988 Volvo 740 Sedans Are Eligible 
for Importation

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

ACTION: Notice of decision by NHTSA that nonconforming 1988 Volvo 740 
Sedans are eligible for importation.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces the decision by NHTSA that 1988 Volvo 
740 Sedans not originally manufactured to comply with all applicable 
Federal motor vehicle safety standards are eligible for importation 
into the United States because they are substantially similar to a 
vehicle originally manufactured for importation into and sale in the 
United States and certified by its manufacturer as complying with the 
safety standards (the U.S.-certified version of the 1988 Volvo 740 
Sedan), and they are capable of being readily altered to conform to the 
standards.

DATES: This decision is effective as of the date of its publication in 
the Federal Register.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Ted Bayler, Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance, NHTSA (202-366-5306).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    Under 49 U.S.C. Sec. 30141(a)(1)(A) (formerly section 
108(c)(3)(A)(i) of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act 
(the Act)), 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 (formerly section 114 of 
the Act), 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.
    Western Cascade of Seattle Washington (Registered Importer R-94-
023) petitioned NHTSA to decide whether 1988 Volvo 740 Sedans are 
eligible for importation into the United States. NHTSA published notice 
of the petition on September 27, 1994 (59 FR 49281) to afford an 
opportunity for public comment. The reader is referred to that notice 
for a thorough description of the petition. No comments were received 
in response to the notice. Based on its review of the information 
submitted by the petitioner, NHTSA has decided to grant the petition.

Vehicle Eligibility Number for Subject Vehicles

    The importer of a vehicle admissible under any final decision must 
indicate on the form HS-7 accompanying entry the appropriate vehicle 
eligibility number indicating that the vehicle is eligible for entry. 
VSP 87 is the vehicle eligibility number assigned to vehicles 
admissible under this decision.

Final Determination

    Accordingly, on the basis of the foregoing, NHTSA hereby decides 
that a 1988 Volvo 740 Sedan not originally manufactured to comply with 
all applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standards is substantially 
similar to a 1988 Volvo 740 Sedan originally manufactured for 
importation into and sale in the United States and certified under 49 
U.S.C. 30115, and is capable of being readily altered to conform to all 
applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standards.

    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 13, 1994.
William A. Boehly,
Associate Administrator for Enforcement.
[FR Doc. 94-31013 Filed 12-16-94; 8:45 am]
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