Notice of Receipt of Petition for Decision That Nonconforming Model Year 2008 Aston Martin Vantage V8 Passenger Cars Are Eligible for Importation, 26867-26869 [2016-10350]
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Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 86 / Wednesday, May 4, 2016 / Notices
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
opportunity to inspect the information
relevant to the application, including
any safety analyses that have been
conducted. The Agency must also
provide an opportunity for public
comment on the request.
The Agency reviews the safety
analyses and the public comments, and
determines whether granting the
exemption would likely achieve a level
of safety equivalent to, or greater than,
the level that would be achieved by the
current regulation (49 CFR 381.305).
The decision of the Agency must be
published in the Federal Register (49
CFR 381.315(b)) with the reason for the
grant or denial, and, if granted, the
specific person or class of persons
receiving the exemption, and the
regulatory provision or provisions from
which exemption is granted. The notice
must also specify the effective period of
the exemption (up to 5 years), and
explain the terms and conditions of the
exemption. The exemption may be
renewed (49 CFR 381.300(b)).
Section 5206(a)(3) of the ‘‘Fixing
America’s Surface Transportation Act,’’
(FAST Act) amended 49 U.S.C 31315 by
adding a new paragraph (b)(2) to permit
exemptions for no longer than five years
from their dates of inception, instead of
the previous two years. This statutory
provision will be codified in 49 CFR
part 381 in a forthcoming rulemaking.
III. Request for Exemption
On behalf of Sebastian Boehm,
Daimler has applied for a 5-year
exemption from 49 CFR 383.23, which
prescribes licensing requirements for
drivers operating CMVs in interstate or
intrastate commerce. Mr. Boehm is
unable to obtain a CDL in any of the
States due to his lack of residency in the
United States. A copy of the application
is in Docket No. FMCSA–2012–0032.
The exemption would allow Mr.
Boehm to operate CMVs in interstate or
intrastate commerce to support Daimler
field tests designed to meet future
vehicle safety and environmental
requirements and to promote
technological advancements in vehicle
safety systems and emissions
reductions. Mr. Boehm needs to drive
Daimler vehicles on public roads to
better understand ‘‘real world’’
environments in the U.S. market.
According to Daimler, Mr. Boehm will
typically drive for no more than 6 hours
per day, and that 10 percent of the test
driving will be on two-lane state
highways, while 90 percent will be on
interstate highways. The driving will
consist of no more than 200 miles per
day, for one to two weeks on a quarterly
basis. He will in all cases be
accompanied by a holder of a U.S. CDL
VerDate Sep<11>2014
18:44 May 03, 2016
Jkt 238001
who is familiar with the routes to be
traveled.
Mr. Boehm would be required to
comply with all applicable Federal
Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (49
CFR parts 350–399) except the CDL
provisions described in this notice.
Mr. Boehm holds a valid German
commercial license, and as explained by
Daimler in its exemption request, the
requirements for that license ensure that
the same level of safety is met or
exceeded as if this driver had a U.S.
CDL. Furthermore, according to
Daimler, Mr. Boehm is familiar with the
operation of CMVs worldwide.
FMCSA has previously determined
that the process for obtaining a German
commercial license is comparable to, or
as effective as, the requirements of part
383, and adequately assesses the
driver’s ability to operate CMVs in the
U.S. Since 2012, FMCSA has granted
Daimler drivers similar exemptions
[May 25, 2012 (77 FR 31422); July 22,
2014 (79 FR 42626); March 27, 2015 (80
FR 16511); October 5, 2015 (80 FR
60220); December 7, 2015 (80 FR
76059); December 21, 2015 (80 FR
79410)].
Issued on: April 27, 2016.
Larry W. Minor,
Associate Administrator for Policy.
[FR Doc. 2016–10415 Filed 5–3–16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–EX–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration
[Docket No. NHTSA–2014–0058; Notice 1]
Notice of Receipt of Petition for
Decision That Nonconforming Model
Year 2008 Aston Martin Vantage V8
Passenger Cars Are Eligible for
Importation
National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Receipt of petition.
AGENCY:
This document announces
receipt by the National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration (NHTSA) of a
petition for a decision that model year
(MY) 2008 Aston Martin Vantage V8
passenger cars (PC) 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
SUMMARY:
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Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
26867
safety standards (the U.S.-certified
version of the 2008 Aston Martin
Vantage V8 PC) and they are capable of
being readily altered to conform to the
standards.
DATE: The closing date for comments on
the petition is June 3, 2016.
ADDRESSES: Comments should refer to
the docket and notice numbers above
and be submitted by any of the
following methods:
• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to
https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the
online instructions for submitting
comments.
• Mail: Docket Management Facility:
U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200
New Jersey Avenue SE., West Building
Ground Floor, Room W12–140,
Washington, DC 20590–0001.
• Hand Delivery or Courier: West
Building Ground Floor, Room W12–140,
1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., between
9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET, Monday through
Friday, except Federal holidays.
• Fax: 202–493–2251.
Instructions: 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 your
comments 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.
Please see the Privacy Act heading
below.
Privacy Act: Anyone is able to search
the electronic form of all comments
received into any of our dockets by the
name of the individual submitting the
comment (or signing the comment, if
submitted on behalf of an association,
business, labor union, etc.). You may
review DOT’s complete Privacy Act
Statement in the Federal Register
published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR
19477–78).
How to Read Comments submitted to
the Docket: You may read the comments
received by Docket Management at the
address and times given above. You may
also view the documents from the
Internet at https://www.regulations.gov.
Follow the online instructions for
accessing the dockets. The docket ID
number and title of this notice are
shown at the heading of this document
notice. Please note that even after the
comment closing date, we will continue
to file relevant information in the
Docket as it becomes available. Further,
E:\FR\FM\04MYN1.SGM
04MYN1
26868
Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 86 / Wednesday, May 4, 2016 / Notices
some people may submit late comments.
Accordingly, we recommend that you
periodically search the Docket for new
material.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
George Stevens, Office of Vehicle Safety
Compliance, NHTSA (202–366–5308).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Background
Under 49 U.S.C. 30141(a)(1)(A), a
motor vehicle that was not originally
manufactured to conform to all
applicable FMVSS 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, 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.
U.S. Specs of Harve de Grace,
Maryland (Registered Importer R–03–
321) has petitioned NHTSA to decide
whether nonconforming 2008 Aston
Martin Vantage V8 PCs are eligible for
importation into the United States. The
vehicles which U.S. Specs believes are
substantially similar are MY 2008 Aston
Martin Vantage V8 PCs 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 2008 Aston
Martin Vantage V8 PCs to their U.S.certified counterparts, and found the
vehicles to be substantially similar with
respect to compliance with most
FMVSS.
U.S. Specs submitted information
with its petition intended to
demonstrate that non-U.S. certified MY
2008 Aston Martin Vantage V8 PCs, as
originally manufactured, conform to
many applicable FMVSS in the same
manner as their U.S.-certified
counterparts, or are capable of being
VerDate Sep<11>2014
18:44 May 03, 2016
Jkt 238001
readily altered to conform to those
standards.
Specifically, the petitioner claims that
the non U.S.-certified MY 2008 Aston
Martin Vantage V8 PCs, as originally
manufactured, conform to: Standard
Nos. 102 Transmission Shift Lever
Sequence, Starter Interlock, and
Transmission Braking Effect, 103
Windshield Defrosting and Defogging
Systems, 104 Windshield Wiping and
Washing Systems, 106 Brake Hoses, 109
New Pneumatic and Certain Specialty
Tires, 113 Hood Latch System, 114 Theft
Protection, 116 Motor Vehicle Brake
Fluids, 124 Accelerator Control Systems,
135 Light Vehicle Brake Systems, 201
Occupant Protection in Interior Impact,
202a 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 Mounting,
214 Side Impact Protection, 216 Roof
Crush Resistance, 219 Windshield Zone
Intrusion, 302 Flammability of Interior
Materials, 401 Interior Trunk Release.
The petitioner also contends that the
subject non-U.S certified vehicles are
capable of being readily altered to meet
the following standards, in the manner
indicated:
Standard No. 101 Controls and
Displays: replacement of the original
instrument cluster with the U.S. model
component and reprogramming the
associated software as described in the
petition, or modifying the existing
instrument cluster such that speed is
displayed in miles per hour (MPH) and
the brake telltale displays the word
‘‘BRAKE’’ when activated.
Standard No. 108 Lamps, Reflective
Devices and Associated Equipment:
installation of U.S.-conforming front
side marker lamps, headlamps, high
mounted stop lamp, and rear and side
mounted reflex reflectors.
Standard No. 110 Tire Selection and
Rims: installation of the required tire
information placard.
Standard No. 111 Rearview Mirrors:
inscription of the required warning
statement on the face of the passenger
mirror, or replacement of the passenger
side mirror with the U.S. model
component.
Standard No. 118 Power–Operated
Window, Partition and Roof Panel
Systems: rewiring and reprograming the
power-operated window, partition, and
roof panel systems if necessary for the
vehicle to fully conform to the standard.
Standard No. 138 Tire Pressure
Monitoring Systems: installation of U.S.
model tire pressure sensor, tire valve kit
and tire pressure monitor module. The
PO 00000
Frm 00096
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
system must also be reprogrammed with
the U.S. model tire pressure loss
warning software.
Standard No. 208 Occupant Crash
Protection: installation of U.S. model
software such that the seat belt warning
lamp and audio alert function as
required by the standard.
In response to NHTSA’s letter dated
August 7, 2014, requesting additional
information, the petitioner provided
supplemental information in the form of
an email from Aston Martin Lagonda
Limited stating that the passenger side
seat weight sensor and passenger side
seat module (which may need to be
individually identified for each vehicle),
and fixed height cushion frame are
required for the vehicle. In addition,
Aston Martin Langonda Limited stated
that two air bag [warning] labels will
need to be installed to conform the
vehicle to the standard.
Standard No. 225 Child Restraint
Anchorage Systems: the seat cushion
frame must be replaced with the U.S.
part in order to meet this standard.
Standard No. 301 Fuel System
Integrity: in response to NHTSA’s letter
dated August 7, 2014, requesting
additional information, the petitioner
provided supplemental information in
the form of an email from Aston Martin
Lagonda Limited indicating that various
components of the vapor recovery
system are required.
The petitioner also provided a copy of
a letter from Aston Martin Lagonda
Limited stating, ‘‘Aston Martin will
provide the software configuration file
to a United States Aston Martin
Dealership for U.S. Specs. U.S. Specs
will be required to take the vehicle to
the dealership for programming. Once
the vehicle has been re-programmed and
diagnosed that all systems are
functioning properly, the dealership
will provide U.S. Specs with
documentation confirming that all
vehicle systems are functioning as a
2008 Aston Martin Vantage V8, United
States model.’’
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.
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.
E:\FR\FM\04MYN1.SGM
04MYN1
Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 86 / Wednesday, May 4, 2016 / Notices
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.
Jeffrey M. Giuseppe,
Director, Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance.
[FR Doc. 2016–10350 Filed 5–3–16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–59–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration
[Docket No. NHTSA–2015–0082; Notice 1]
Notice of Receipt of Petition for
Decision That Nonconforming Model
Year 2009 Mercedes-Benz G Class
Long Wheelbase (463 Chassis)
Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle Are
Eligible for Importation
National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration (NHTSA),
Department of Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Receipt of petition.
AGENCY:
This document announces
receipt by the National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration (NHTSA) of a
petition for a decision that model year
(MY) 2009 Mercedes-Benz G Class Long
Wheelbase (LWB) (463 Chassis)
multipurpose vehicles (MPVs) 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 (the U.S.-certified
version of the 2009 Mercedes-Benz G
Class LWB MPV) and they are capable
of being readily altered to conform to
the standards.
DATE: The closing date for comments on
the petition is June 3, 2016.
ADDRESSES: Comments should refer to
the docket and notice numbers above
and be submitted by any of the
following methods:
• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to
https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the
online instructions for submitting
comments.
• Mail: Docket Management Facility:
U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200
New Jersey Avenue SE., West Building
Ground Floor, Room W12–140,
Washington, DC 20590–0001.
• Hand Delivery or Courier: West
Building Ground Floor, Room W12–140,
1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., between
9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET, Monday through
Friday, except Federal holidays.
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
SUMMARY:
VerDate Sep<11>2014
18:44 May 03, 2016
Jkt 238001
• Fax: 202–493–2251.
Instructions: 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 your
comments 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.
Please see the Privacy Act heading
below.
Privacy Act: Anyone is able to search
the electronic form of all comments
received into any of our dockets by the
name of the individual submitting the
comment (or signing the comment, if
submitted on behalf of an association,
business, labor union, etc.). You may
review DOT’s complete Privacy Act
Statement in the Federal Register
published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR
19477–78).
How to Read Comments submitted to
the Docket: You may read the comments
received by Docket Management at the
address and times given above. You may
also view the documents from the
Internet at https://www.regulations.gov.
Follow the online instructions for
accessing the dockets. The docket ID
number and title of this notice are
shown at the heading of this document
notice. Please note that even after the
comment closing date, we will continue
to file relevant information in the
Docket as it becomes available. Further,
some people may submit late comments.
Accordingly, we recommend that you
periodically search the Docket for new
material.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
George Stevens, Office of Vehicle Safety
Compliance, NHTSA (202–366–5308).
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 FMVSS 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.
PO 00000
Frm 00097
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
26869
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. Technologies LLC (JK) of
Baltimore, Maryland (Registered
Importer R–90–006) has petitioned
NHTSA to decide whether
nonconforming 2009 Mercedes-Benz G
Class LWB MPVs are eligible for
importation into the United States. The
vehicles which JK believes are
substantially similar are MY 2009
Mercedes-Benz G Class LWB MPVs 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 2009 MercedesBenz G Class LWB MPVs to their U.S.certified counterparts, and found the
vehicles to be substantially similar with
respect to compliance with most
FMVSS.
JK submitted information with its
petition intended to demonstrate that
non-U.S. certified MY 2009 MercedesBenz G Class LWB MPVs, 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 2009
Mercedes-Benz G Class LWB MPVs, as
originally manufactured, conform to:
Standard Nos. 102 Transmission Shift
Lever Sequence, Starter Interlock, and
Transmission Braking Effect, 103
Windshield Defrosting and Defogging
Systems, 104 Windshield Wiping and
Washing Systems, 106 Brake Hoses, 113
Hood Latch System, 116 Motor Vehicle
Brake Fluids, 118 Power-Operated
Window, Partition, and Roof panel
System, 124 Accelerator Control
Systems, 135 Light Vehicle Brake
Systems, 138 Tire Pressure Monitoring
Systems, 139 New pneumatic radial
tires for light vehicles, 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
E:\FR\FM\04MYN1.SGM
04MYN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 86 (Wednesday, May 4, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 26867-26869]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-10350]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
[Docket No. NHTSA-2014-0058; Notice 1]
Notice of Receipt of Petition for Decision That Nonconforming
Model Year 2008 Aston Martin Vantage V8 Passenger Cars Are Eligible for
Importation
AGENCY: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 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) 2008 Aston Martin Vantage V8 passenger cars (PC) 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 (the U.S.-certified version of the 2008 Aston
Martin Vantage V8 PC) and they are capable of being readily altered to
conform to the standards.
DATE: The closing date for comments on the petition is June 3, 2016.
ADDRESSES: Comments should refer to the docket and notice numbers above
and be submitted by any of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for submitting
comments.
Mail: Docket Management Facility: U.S. Department of
Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., West Building Ground Floor,
Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590-0001.
Hand Delivery or Courier: West Building Ground Floor, Room
W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET,
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
Fax: 202-493-2251.
Instructions: 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 your comments 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. Please see the Privacy Act heading below.
Privacy Act: Anyone is able to search the electronic form of all
comments received into any of our dockets by the name of the individual
submitting the comment (or signing the comment, if submitted on behalf
of an association, business, labor union, etc.). You may review DOT's
complete Privacy Act Statement in the Federal Register published on
April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78).
How to Read Comments submitted to the Docket: You may read the
comments received by Docket Management at the address and times given
above. You may also view the documents from the Internet at https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for accessing the
dockets. The docket ID number and title of this notice are shown at the
heading of this document notice. Please note that even after the
comment closing date, we will continue to file relevant information in
the Docket as it becomes available. Further,
[[Page 26868]]
some people may submit late comments. Accordingly, we recommend that
you periodically search the Docket for new material.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: George Stevens, Office of Vehicle
Safety Compliance, NHTSA (202-366-5308).
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 FMVSS 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, 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.
U.S. Specs of Harve de Grace, Maryland (Registered Importer R-03-
321) has petitioned NHTSA to decide whether nonconforming 2008 Aston
Martin Vantage V8 PCs are eligible for importation into the United
States. The vehicles which U.S. Specs believes are substantially
similar are MY 2008 Aston Martin Vantage V8 PCs 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 2008
Aston Martin Vantage V8 PCs to their U.S.-certified counterparts, and
found the vehicles to be substantially similar with respect to
compliance with most FMVSS.
U.S. Specs submitted information with its petition intended to
demonstrate that non-U.S. certified MY 2008 Aston Martin Vantage V8
PCs, 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
2008 Aston Martin Vantage V8 PCs, as originally manufactured, conform
to: Standard Nos. 102 Transmission Shift Lever Sequence, Starter
Interlock, and Transmission Braking Effect, 103 Windshield Defrosting
and Defogging Systems, 104 Windshield Wiping and Washing Systems, 106
Brake Hoses, 109 New Pneumatic and Certain Specialty Tires, 113 Hood
Latch System, 114 Theft Protection, 116 Motor Vehicle Brake Fluids, 124
Accelerator Control Systems, 135 Light Vehicle Brake Systems, 201
Occupant Protection in Interior Impact, 202a 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 Mounting,
214 Side Impact Protection, 216 Roof Crush Resistance, 219 Windshield
Zone Intrusion, 302 Flammability of Interior Materials, 401 Interior
Trunk Release.
The petitioner also contends that the subject non-U.S certified
vehicles are capable of being readily altered to meet the following
standards, in the manner indicated:
Standard No. 101 Controls and Displays: replacement of the original
instrument cluster with the U.S. model component and reprogramming the
associated software as described in the petition, or modifying the
existing instrument cluster such that speed is displayed in miles per
hour (MPH) and the brake telltale displays the word ``BRAKE'' when
activated.
Standard No. 108 Lamps, Reflective Devices and Associated
Equipment: installation of U.S.-conforming front side marker lamps,
headlamps, high mounted stop lamp, and rear and side mounted reflex
reflectors.
Standard No. 110 Tire Selection and Rims: installation of the
required tire information placard.
Standard No. 111 Rearview Mirrors: inscription of the required
warning statement on the face of the passenger mirror, or replacement
of the passenger side mirror with the U.S. model component.
Standard No. 118 Power-Operated Window, Partition and Roof Panel
Systems: rewiring and reprograming the power-operated window,
partition, and roof panel systems if necessary for the vehicle to fully
conform to the standard.
Standard No. 138 Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems: installation of
U.S. model tire pressure sensor, tire valve kit and tire pressure
monitor module. The system must also be reprogrammed with the U.S.
model tire pressure loss warning software.
Standard No. 208 Occupant Crash Protection: installation of U.S.
model software such that the seat belt warning lamp and audio alert
function as required by the standard.
In response to NHTSA's letter dated August 7, 2014, requesting
additional information, the petitioner provided supplemental
information in the form of an email from Aston Martin Lagonda Limited
stating that the passenger side seat weight sensor and passenger side
seat module (which may need to be individually identified for each
vehicle), and fixed height cushion frame are required for the vehicle.
In addition, Aston Martin Langonda Limited stated that two air bag
[warning] labels will need to be installed to conform the vehicle to
the standard.
Standard No. 225 Child Restraint Anchorage Systems: the seat
cushion frame must be replaced with the U.S. part in order to meet this
standard.
Standard No. 301 Fuel System Integrity: in response to NHTSA's
letter dated August 7, 2014, requesting additional information, the
petitioner provided supplemental information in the form of an email
from Aston Martin Lagonda Limited indicating that various components of
the vapor recovery system are required.
The petitioner also provided a copy of a letter from Aston Martin
Lagonda Limited stating, ``Aston Martin will provide the software
configuration file to a United States Aston Martin Dealership for U.S.
Specs. U.S. Specs will be required to take the vehicle to the
dealership for programming. Once the vehicle has been re-programmed and
diagnosed that all systems are functioning properly, the dealership
will provide U.S. Specs with documentation confirming that all vehicle
systems are functioning as a 2008 Aston Martin Vantage V8, United
States model.''
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.
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.
[[Page 26869]]
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.
Jeffrey M. Giuseppe,
Director, Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance.
[FR Doc. 2016-10350 Filed 5-3-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-59-P
