# Notice of Receipt of Petition for Decision That Nonconforming 1987-1989 Bentley Passenger Cars Are Eligible for Importation
**AGENCY:**
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, DOT.
**ACTION:**
Notice of receipt of petition for decision that nonconforming 1987-1989 Bentley 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 1987-1989 Bentley 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 May 11, 2000.
**ADDRESSES:**
Comments should refer to the docket number and notice number, and be submitted to: Docket Management, Room PL-401, 400 Seventh St., SW, Washington, DC 20590. [Docket hours are from 9 am to 5 pm]
**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 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 of Lansdale, Pennsylvania (“Champagne”) (Registered Importer 90-009) has petitioned NHTSA to decide whether 1987-1989 Bentley passenger cars are eligible for importation into the United States. The vehicles which Champagne believes are substantially similar are 1987-1989 Bentley passenger cars 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 1987-1989 Bentley 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 1987-1989 Bentley 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 1987-1989 Bentley 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,* 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,* 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.*
Petitioner also contends that the vehicles 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 that incorporate headlamps with DOT markings; (b) installation of U.S.-model front and rear sidemarker/reflector assemblies; (c) installation of U.S.-model taillamp assemblies; (d) installation of high mounted stop lamps.
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 in the steering lock assembly and a warning buzzer.
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 position, 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) installation of automatic lap and shoulder belts at each front designated seating position. The petitioner states that the vehicles are equipped with combination lap and shoulder restraints that release by means of a single push button at both rear outboard designated seating positions, 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.
Additionally, the petitioner states that the bumpers on the non-U.S. certified 1987-1989 Bentley passenger cars must be reinforced or U.S.-model bumper components must be installed to comply with the Bumper Standard found in 49 CFR Part 581.
The petitioner also states that a vehicle identification number plate must be affixed to the vehicle to meet the requirements of 49 CFR Part 565.
Interested persons are invited to submit comments on the petition described above. Comments should refer to the docket number and be submitted to: Docket Management, Room PL-401, 400 Seventh St., 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: April 6, 2000.
Marilynne Jacobs,
Director, Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance.