80_FR_72706 80 FR 72483 - Michelin North America, Inc., Receipt of Petition for Decision of Inconsequential Noncompliance

80 FR 72483 - Michelin North America, Inc., Receipt of Petition for Decision of Inconsequential Noncompliance

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 223 (November 19, 2015)

Page Range72483-72484
FR Document2015-29473

Michelin North America, Inc. (MNA), has determined that certain Michelin heavy truck tires do not fully comply with paragraphs S6.5(a) and (j) of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 119, New Pneumatic Tires for Motor Vehicles With a GVWR of More than 4,536 kilograms (10,000 pounds) and Motorcycles. MNA has filed an appropriate report dated September 18, 2015, pursuant to 49 CFR part 573, Defect and Noncompliance Responsibility and Reports.

Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 223 (Thursday, November 19, 2015)
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 223 (Thursday, November 19, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 72483-72484]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-29473]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

[Docket No. NHTSA-2015-0103; Notice 1]


Michelin North America, Inc., Receipt of Petition for Decision of 
Inconsequential Noncompliance

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

ACTION: Receipt of petition.

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SUMMARY: Michelin North America, Inc. (MNA), has determined that 
certain Michelin heavy truck tires do not fully comply with paragraphs 
S6.5(a) and (j) of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 
119, New Pneumatic Tires for Motor Vehicles With a GVWR of More than 
4,536 kilograms (10,000 pounds) and Motorcycles. MNA has filed an 
appropriate report dated September 18, 2015, pursuant to 49 CFR part 
573, Defect and Noncompliance Responsibility and Reports.

DATES: The closing date for comments on the petition is December 21, 
2015.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written data, 
views, and arguments on this petition. Comments must refer to the 
docket and notice number cited at the beginning of this notice and 
submitted by any of the following methods:
     Mail: Send comments by mail addressed to: U.S. Department 
of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, 
Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.
     Hand Deliver: Deliver comments by hand to: U.S. Department 
of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, 
Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590. The 
Docket Section is open on weekdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. except 
Federal Holidays.
     Electronically: Submit comments electronically by: Logging 
onto the Federal Docket Management System (FDMS) Web site at http://www.regulations.gov/. Follow the online instructions for submitting 
comments. Comments may also be faxed to (202) 493-2251.
    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 http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information provided.
    Documents submitted to a docket may be viewed by anyone at the 
address and times given above. The documents may also be viewed on the 
Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by following the online 
instructions for accessing the dockets. DOT's complete Privacy Act 
Statement is available for review in the Federal Register published on 
April 11, 2000, (65 FR 19477-78).
    The petition, supporting materials, and all comments received 
before the close of business on the closing date indicated above will 
be filed and will be considered. All comments and supporting materials 
received after the closing date will also be filed and will be 
considered to the extent possible. When the petition is granted or 
denied, notice of the decision will be published in the Federal 
Register pursuant to the authority indicated below.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    I. Overview: Pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 30118(d) and 30120(h) (see 
implementing rule at 49 CFR part 556), MNA submitted a petition for an 
exemption from the notification and remedy requirements of 49 U.S.C. 
Chapter 301 on the basis that this noncompliance is inconsequential to 
motor vehicle safety.
    This notice of receipt of MNA's petition is published under 49 
U.S.C. 30118 and 30120 and does not represent any agency decision or 
other exercise of judgment concerning the merits of the petition.
    II. Tires Involved: Affected are approximately 247 Michelin X Works 
XZY size 315/80R22.5 156/150K heavy truck tires that were manufactured 
between January 1, 2011 and July 31, 2015.
    III. Noncompliance: MNA describes the noncompliance's as the 
inadvertent omission from the tires sidewall of the letter marking that 
designates the tire load range as required by paragraph S6.5(j) and the 
symbol ``DOT'' confirming certification as required by paragraph 
S6.5(a) of FMVSS No. 119.
    IV. Rule Text: Paragraph S6.5 of FMVSS No. 119 requires in 
pertinent part:
    S6.5 Tire Markings. Except as specified in this paragraph, each 
tire shall be marked on each sidewall with the information specified in 
paragraphs (a) through (j) of this section. . . .
    (a) The symbol DOT, which shall constitute a certification that the 
tire conforms to applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety standards. 
This symbol may be marked on only one sidewall. . . .
    (j) The letter designating the tire Load Range.
    V. Summary of MNA's Petition: MNA believes that while it did not 
intend to release the subject tires for sale in the U.S. market, and 
therefore did not mark the tires accordingly, it believes that the 
subject noncompliance is inconsequential to motor vehicle safety for 
the following reasons:
    (1) Maximum Load Rating: The subject tires are marked on both 
sidewalls with the European Tyre and Rim Technical Organization (ETRTO) 
published load capacities in pounds and kilograms for single and dual 
application in the format specified by FMVSS No. 119. MNA believes that 
this marking provides sufficient information to ensure the proper 
application of the tire.
    (2) Load Index: The subject tire is marked with the [International 
Organization for Standardization] ISO load indices for single and dual 
application as specified by the ETRTO standard. MNA believes that ISO 
load indices are widely recognized within the industry and thus provide 
additional information to ensure the proper application of the tire.
    (3) Other Markings: All other markings specified by FMVSS No. 119 
are present on the tire including the full tire identification number 
(TIN).
    (4) Performance: The subject tire meets all performance 
requirements of FMVSS No. 119. MNA believes that the subject 
noncompliances have no impact on the load carrying capacity of the tire 
on a motor vehicle, nor on motor vehicle safety itself.

[[Page 72484]]

    (5) Vehicle Fitment: Paragraph S6 of FMVSS No. 119 requires that 
the marking should contain load capacity values in pounds and kilograms 
as well as a letter designating the load range. This information is 
used by vehicle owners to ensure adequate tire load capacity for the 
specific vehicle configuration. Although the subject tire lacks the 
letter designating the load range, MNA believes that the ETRTO standard 
load capacity values and ISO load indices for single and dual 
application which are widely recognized in the industry are present to 
ensure proper application.
    MNA has additionally informed NHTSA that it has corrected its 
internal systems error to prevent similar tires from being released for 
sale in the U.S. market in the future.
    In summation, MNA believes that the described noncompliances of the 
subject tires is inconsequential to motor vehicle safety, and that its 
petition, to exempt MNA from providing recall notification of 
noncompliances as required by 49 U.S.C. 30118 and remedying the recall 
noncompliance as required by 49 U.S.C. 30120 should be granted.
    NHTSA notes that the statutory provisions (49 U.S.C. 30118(d) and 
30120(h)) that permit manufacturers to file petitions for a 
determination of inconsequentiality allow NHTSA to exempt manufacturers 
only from the duties found in sections 30118 and 30120, respectively, 
to notify owners, purchasers, and dealers of a defect or noncompliance 
and to remedy the defect or noncompliance. Therefore, any decision on 
this petition only applies to the subject tires that MNA no longer 
controlled at the time it determined that the noncompliance existed. 
However, any decision on this petition does not relieve equipment 
distributors and dealers of the prohibitions on the sale, offer for 
sale, or introduction or delivery for introduction into interstate 
commerce of the noncompliant tires under their control after MNA 
notified them that the subject noncompliance existed.

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

Jeffrey M. Giuseppe,
Director, Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance.
[FR Doc. 2015-29473 Filed 11-18-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-59-P



                                                                            Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 223 / Thursday, November 19, 2015 / Notices                                            72483

                                                  decision only applies to the subject                    30, West Building Ground Floor, Room                  XZY size 315/80R22.5 156/150K heavy
                                                  vehicles that MMNA no longer                            W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE.,                  truck tires that were manufactured
                                                  controlled at the time it determined that               Washington, DC 20590. The Docket                      between January 1, 2011 and July 31,
                                                  the noncompliance existed. However,                     Section is open on weekdays from 10                   2015.
                                                  the granting of this petition does not                  a.m. to 5 p.m. except Federal Holidays.                  III. Noncompliance: MNA describes
                                                  relieve vehicle distributors and dealers                  • Electronically: Submit comments                   the noncompliance’s as the inadvertent
                                                  of the prohibitions on the sale, offer for              electronically by: Logging onto the                   omission from the tires sidewall of the
                                                  sale, or introduction or delivery for                   Federal Docket Management System                      letter marking that designates the tire
                                                  introduction into interstate commerce of                (FDMS) Web site at http://                            load range as required by paragraph
                                                  the noncompliant vehicles under their                   www.regulations.gov/. Follow the online               S6.5(j) and the symbol ‘‘DOT’’
                                                  control after MMNA notified them that                   instructions for submitting comments.                 confirming certification as required by
                                                  the subject noncompliance existed.                      Comments may also be faxed to (202)                   paragraph S6.5(a) of FMVSS No. 119.
                                                    Authority: (49 U.S.C. 30118, 30120:                   493–2251.                                                IV. Rule Text: Paragraph S6.5 of
                                                  Delegations of authority at 49 CFR 1.95 and                Comments must be written in the                    FMVSS No. 119 requires in pertinent
                                                  501.8).                                                 English language, and be no greater than              part:
                                                                                                          15 pages in length, although there is no                 S6.5 Tire Markings. Except as
                                                  Jeffrey M. Giuseppe,                                    limit to the length of necessary                      specified in this paragraph, each tire
                                                  Director, Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance.          attachments to the comments. If                       shall be marked on each sidewall with
                                                  [FR Doc. 2015–29472 Filed 11–18–15; 8:45 am]            comments are submitted in hard copy                   the information specified in paragraphs
                                                  BILLING CODE 4910–59–P                                  form, please ensure that two copies are               (a) through (j) of this section. . . .
                                                                                                          provided. If you wish to receive                         (a) The symbol DOT, which shall
                                                                                                          confirmation that your comments were                  constitute a certification that the tire
                                                  DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION                            received, please enclose a stamped, self-             conforms to applicable Federal Motor
                                                                                                          addressed postcard with the comments.                 Vehicle Safety standards. This symbol
                                                  National Highway Traffic Safety
                                                                                                          Note that all comments received will be               may be marked on only one sidewall.
                                                  Administration
                                                                                                          posted without change to http://                      . . .
                                                  [Docket No. NHTSA–2015–0103; Notice 1]                  www.regulations.gov, including any                       (j) The letter designating the tire Load
                                                                                                          personal information provided.                        Range.
                                                  Michelin North America, Inc., Receipt                      Documents submitted to a docket may                   V. Summary of MNA’s Petition: MNA
                                                  of Petition for Decision of                             be viewed by anyone at the address and                believes that while it did not intend to
                                                  Inconsequential Noncompliance                           times given above. The documents may                  release the subject tires for sale in the
                                                  AGENCY:  National Highway Traffic                       also be viewed on the Internet at http://             U.S. market, and therefore did not mark
                                                  Safety Administration (NHTSA),                          www.regulations.gov by following the                  the tires accordingly, it believes that the
                                                  Department of Transportation (DOT).                     online instructions for accessing the                 subject noncompliance is
                                                  ACTION: Receipt of petition.
                                                                                                          dockets. DOT’s complete Privacy Act                   inconsequential to motor vehicle safety
                                                                                                          Statement is available for review in the              for the following reasons:
                                                  SUMMARY:   Michelin North America, Inc.                 Federal Register published on April 11,                  (1) Maximum Load Rating: The
                                                  (MNA), has determined that certain                      2000, (65 FR 19477–78).                               subject tires are marked on both
                                                  Michelin heavy truck tires do not fully                    The petition, supporting materials,                sidewalls with the European Tyre and
                                                  comply with paragraphs S6.5(a) and (j)                  and all comments received before the                  Rim Technical Organization (ETRTO)
                                                  of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety                         close of business on the closing date                 published load capacities in pounds and
                                                  Standard (FMVSS) No. 119, New                           indicated above will be filed and will be             kilograms for single and dual
                                                  Pneumatic Tires for Motor Vehicles                      considered. All comments and                          application in the format specified by
                                                  With a GVWR of More than 4,536                          supporting materials received after the               FMVSS No. 119. MNA believes that this
                                                  kilograms (10,000 pounds) and                           closing date will also be filed and will              marking provides sufficient information
                                                  Motorcycles. MNA has filed an                           be considered to the extent possible.                 to ensure the proper application of the
                                                  appropriate report dated September 18,                  When the petition is granted or denied,               tire.
                                                  2015, pursuant to 49 CFR part 573,                      notice of the decision will be published                 (2) Load Index: The subject tire is
                                                  Defect and Noncompliance                                in the Federal Register pursuant to the               marked with the [International
                                                  Responsibility and Reports.                             authority indicated below.                            Organization for Standardization] ISO
                                                  DATES: The closing date for comments                    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:                            load indices for single and dual
                                                  on the petition is December 21, 2015.                     I. Overview: Pursuant to 49 U.S.C.                  application as specified by the ETRTO
                                                  ADDRESSES: Interested persons are                       30118(d) and 30120(h) (see                            standard. MNA believes that ISO load
                                                  invited to submit written data, views,                  implementing rule at 49 CFR part 556),                indices are widely recognized within
                                                  and arguments on this petition.                         MNA submitted a petition for an                       the industry and thus provide
                                                  Comments must refer to the docket and                   exemption from the notification and                   additional information to ensure the
                                                  notice number cited at the beginning of                 remedy requirements of 49 U.S.C.                      proper application of the tire.
                                                  this notice and submitted by any of the                 Chapter 301 on the basis that this                       (3) Other Markings: All other
                                                  following methods:                                      noncompliance is inconsequential to                   markings specified by FMVSS No. 119
                                                    • Mail: Send comments by mail                         motor vehicle safety.                                 are present on the tire including the full
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                                                  addressed to: U.S. Department of                          This notice of receipt of MNA’s                     tire identification number (TIN).
                                                  Transportation, Docket Operations, M–                   petition is published under 49 U.S.C.                    (4) Performance: The subject tire
                                                  30, West Building Ground Floor, Room                    30118 and 30120 and does not represent                meets all performance requirements of
                                                  W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE.,                    any agency decision or other exercise of              FMVSS No. 119. MNA believes that the
                                                  Washington, DC 20590.                                   judgment concerning the merits of the                 subject noncompliances have no impact
                                                    • Hand Deliver: Deliver comments by                   petition.                                             on the load carrying capacity of the tire
                                                  hand to: U.S. Department of                               II. Tires Involved: Affected are                    on a motor vehicle, nor on motor
                                                  Transportation, Docket Operations, M–                   approximately 247 Michelin X Works                    vehicle safety itself.


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                                                  72484                               Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 223 / Thursday, November 19, 2015 / Notices

                                                     (5) Vehicle Fitment: Paragraph S6 of                                     defect or noncompliance. Therefore, any                                  certain model year (MY) 2009–2013
                                                  FMVSS No. 119 requires that the                                             decision on this petition only applies to                                Aston Martin passenger cars do not fully
                                                  marking should contain load capacity                                        the subject tires that MNA no longer                                     comply with paragraph S4.4(c)(2), of
                                                  values in pounds and kilograms as well                                      controlled at the time it determined that                                Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard
                                                  as a letter designating the load range.                                     the noncompliance existed. However,                                      (FMVSS) No. 138, Tire Pressure
                                                  This information is used by vehicle                                         any decision on this petition does not                                   Monitoring Systems. AML has filed an
                                                  owners to ensure adequate tire load                                         relieve equipment distributors and                                       appropriate report dated November 4,
                                                  capacity for the specific vehicle                                           dealers of the prohibitions on the sale,                                 2013, pursuant to 49 CFR part 573,
                                                  configuration. Although the subject tire                                    offer for sale, or introduction or delivery                              Defect and Noncompliance
                                                  lacks the letter designating the load                                       for introduction into interstate                                         Responsibility and Reports.
                                                  range, MNA believes that the ETRTO                                          commerce of the noncompliant tires
                                                                                                                                                                                                       ADDRESSES:   For further information on
                                                  standard load capacity values and ISO                                       under their control after MNA notified
                                                                                                                              them that the subject noncompliance                                      this decision contact Kerrin Bressant,
                                                  load indices for single and dual
                                                                                                                              existed.                                                                 Office of Vehicles Safety Compliance,
                                                  application which are widely
                                                                                                                                                                                                       the National Highway Traffic Safety
                                                  recognized in the industry are present to                                     Authority: (49 U.S.C. 30118, 30120:                                    Administration (NHTSA), telephone
                                                  ensure proper application.                                                  Delegations of authority at 49 CFR 1.95 and                              (202) 366–1110, facsimile (202) 366–
                                                     MNA has additionally informed                                            501.8)
                                                                                                                                                                                                       3081.
                                                  NHTSA that it has corrected its internal
                                                                                                                              Jeffrey M. Giuseppe,
                                                  systems error to prevent similar tires                                                                                                               SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
                                                                                                                              Director, Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance.
                                                  from being released for sale in the U.S.                                                                                                               I. Overview: Pursuant to 49 U.S.C.
                                                  market in the future.                                                       [FR Doc. 2015–29473 Filed 11–18–15; 8:45 am]
                                                                                                                                                                                                       30118(d) and 30120(h) and the rule
                                                     In summation, MNA believes that the                                      BILLING CODE 4910–59–P
                                                                                                                                                                                                       implementing those provisions at 49
                                                  described noncompliances of the subject
                                                                                                                                                                                                       CFR part 556, AML submitted a petition
                                                  tires is inconsequential to motor vehicle
                                                                                                                              DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION                                             for an exemption from the notification
                                                  safety, and that its petition, to exempt
                                                                                                                                                                                                       and remedy requirements of 49 U.S.C.
                                                  MNA from providing recall notification                                      National Highway Traffic Safety                                          Chapter 301 on the basis that this
                                                  of noncompliances as required by 49                                         Administration                                                           noncompliance is inconsequential to
                                                  U.S.C. 30118 and remedying the recall
                                                                                                                              [Docket No. NHTSA–2013–0139; Notice 2]
                                                                                                                                                                                                       motor vehicle safety.
                                                  noncompliance as required by 49 U.S.C.
                                                  30120 should be granted.                                                                                                                               This notice of receipt of AML’s
                                                     NHTSA notes that the statutory                                           Aston Martin Lagonda Limited, Grant                                      petition is published under 49 U.S.C.
                                                  provisions (49 U.S.C. 30118(d) and                                          of Petition for Decision of                                              30118 and 30120 and does not represent
                                                  30120(h)) that permit manufacturers to                                      Inconsequential Noncompliance                                            any agency decision or other exercise of
                                                  file petitions for a determination of                                                                                                                judgment concerning the merits of the
                                                                                                                              AGENCY: National Highway Traffic
                                                  inconsequentiality allow NHTSA to                                                                                                                    petition.
                                                                                                                              Safety Administration (NHTSA),
                                                  exempt manufacturers only from the                                          Department of Transportation (DOT).                                        II. Vehicles Involved: Affected are
                                                  duties found in sections 30118 and                                          ACTION: Grant of petition.                                               approximately 3,282 of the following
                                                  30120, respectively, to notify owners,                                                                                                               AML model passenger cars
                                                  purchasers, and dealers of a defect or                                      SUMMARY:  Aston Martin Lagonda                                           manufactured from September 2009
                                                  noncompliance and to remedy the                                             Limited (AML) has determined that                                        through October 2013:

                                                                                                                                                                                                       Registered          Dealer       Build [date]
                                                                                                                     Model                                                                             amlna fleet      un-registered     range

                                                  DB9 Coupe ..................................................................................................................................                  211                41   10/09–10/13
                                                  DB9 Volante .................................................................................................................................                 225                53   10/09–10/13
                                                  DBS Coupe ..................................................................................................................................                  153                 1   10/09–08/12
                                                  DBS Volante ................................................................................................................................                  147                 1   10/09–08/12
                                                  Virage Coupe ...............................................................................................................................                  120                 0   12/10–08/12
                                                  Virage Volante .............................................................................................................................                  156                 0   12/10–08/12
                                                  V8 Vantage Coupe ......................................................................................................................                       385                54   10/09–10/13
                                                  V8 Vantage Roadster ..................................................................................................................                        279                56   10/09–10/13
                                                  V8 Vantage S Coupe ...................................................................................................................                        170                 9   06/10–10/13
                                                  V8 Vantage S Roadster ...............................................................................................................                         122                12   06/10–10/13
                                                  Rapide ..........................................................................................................................................             671                 0   09/09–02/13
                                                  Rapide S ......................................................................................................................................                74                65   01/13–10/13
                                                  Vanquish Coupe ..........................................................................................................................                     197                80   09/12–10/13

                                                        Total ......................................................................................................................................           2910               372             N/A



                                                     III. Noncompliance: AML explains                                         then reactivated after a five minute                                     illuminate within 40 seconds after the
                                                  that during testing of the tire pressure                                    period, there was no immediate re-                                       vehicle accelerates above 23 mph.
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                                                  monitoring system (TPMS) it was noted                                       illumination of the malfunction                                             IV. Rule Text: Paragraph S4.4(c)(2) of
                                                  that the fitment of an incompatible                                         indicator telltale as required when the                                  FMVSS No. 138 requires in pertinent
                                                  wheel and tire unit was correctly                                           malfunction still exists. Although the                                   part:
                                                  detected and the malfunction indicator                                      malfunction indicator telltale does not                                   S4.4 TPMS Malfunction.
                                                  telltale illuminated as required by                                         re-illuminate immediately after the                                       . . .
                                                  FMVSS No. 138. However, when the                                            vehicle ignition is reactivated, it does                                  (c) Combination low tire pressure/TPMS
                                                  vehicle ignition was deactivated and                                                                                                                 malfunction telltale. The vehicle meets the



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Document Created: 2015-12-14 13:56:45
Document Modified: 2015-12-14 13:56:45
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionNotices
ActionReceipt of petition.
DatesThe closing date for comments on the petition is December 21, 2015.
FR Citation80 FR 72483 

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