81 FR 64575 - General Motors LLC, Receipt of Petition To Amend Takata DIR Schedule

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 182 (September 20, 2016)

Page Range		64575-64576
FR Document		2016-22631

General Motors, LLC (GM) has petitioned the Agency to alter the Part 573 defect information report (DIR) filing schedule set forth in paragraph 14 of the May 4, 2016 Amendment to November 3, 2015 Consent Order between NHTSA and TK Holdings Inc. (``Takata''). More specifically, GM has requested that NHTSA modify the DIR schedule with respect to certain GM-branded motor vehicles from December 31, 2016 to December 31, 2017.

Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 182 (Tuesday, September 20, 2016)

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 182 (Tuesday, September 20, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 64575-64576]
From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-22631]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

[Docket No. NHTSA-2016-0098; Notice 1]

General Motors LLC, Receipt of Petition To Amend Takata DIR
Schedule

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

ACTION: Receipt of petition.

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SUMMARY: General Motors, LLC (GM) has petitioned the Agency to alter
the Part 573 defect information report (DIR) filing schedule set forth
in paragraph 14 of the May 4, 2016 Amendment to November 3, 2015
Consent Order between NHTSA and TK Holdings Inc. (``Takata''). More
specifically, GM has requested that NHTSA modify the DIR schedule with
respect to certain GM-branded motor vehicles from December 31, 2016 to
December 31, 2017.

DATES: The closing date for comments on the petition is October 4,
2016.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written data,
views, and arguments regarding this petition. Comments must refer to
the docket and notice number cited in the title of this notice and be
submitted by one of the following methods:
Internet: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and follow the
online instructions for submitting comments.
Mail: Docket Management Facility, M-30, U.S. Department of
Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., West Building, Room W12-
140, Washington, DC 20590.
Hand Delivery or Courier: U.S. Department of
Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., West Building, Room W12-
140, Washington, DC 20590 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Eastern Time,
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
Facsimile: (202) 493-2251.
You may call the Docket at (202) 366-9324.
Note that all comments received will be posted without change to
http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information
provided. Thus, submitting such information makes it public. You may
wish to read the Privacy Act notice, which can be viewed by clicking on
the ``Privacy and Security Notice'' link in the footer of http://www.regulations.gov. 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 in the docket and will be considered. 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 also be published in the Federal
Register pursuant to the authority indicated at the end of this notice.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

On May 4, 2016, NHTSA issued, and Takata agreed to, an Amendment to
the November 3, 2015 Consent Order (the ``Amendment''), under which
Takata is bound to declare a defect in all driver and passenger
inflators that contain an ammonium nitrate-based propellant and do not
contain a moisture-absorbing desiccant. Such defect declarations are to
be made on a rolling basis. See Amendment at ] 14. Takata timely
submitted the first scheduled DIR on May 16, 2016. The next DIR is due
to be filed on December 31, 2016, and is expected to include passenger
inflators installed as original equipment on certain motor vehicles
manufactured by GM (the ``covered passenger inflators'').
The Amendment sets forth the following procedure under which the
DIR schedule may be modified or amended:

Based on the presentation of additional test data, analysis, or
other relevant and appropriate evidence, by Takata, an automobile
manufacturer, or any other credible source, NHTSA may, after
consultation with Takata, alter the schedule set forth in Paragraph
14 to modify or amend a DIR or to defer certain inflator types or
vehicles, or a portion thereof, to a later DIR filing date. Any such
evidence must be submitted to NHTSA no later than one-hundred-twenty
(120) days before the relevant DIR filing date. This paragraph
applies only to the DIRs scheduled to be issued on or after December
31, 2016 under the schedule established by Paragraph 14 of this
Amendment.

See Amendment at ] 17. On July 22, 2016, NHTSA issued Enforcement
Guidance Bulletin 2016-03 to inform the public of the process and
procedure the Agency had established in connection with Paragraph 17 of
the Amendment, as well as the standards and criteria that would guide
Agency decision-making. See 81 FR 47854.
On September 2, 2016, GM filed a petition pursuant to Paragraph 17
of the Amendment and Enforcement Guidance Bulletin 2016-03. Therein, GM
has requested that NHTSA modify the DIR

[[Page 64576]]

schedule to delay the inclusion of covered GM passenger-side inflators
from December 31, 2016 to December 31, 2017. This notice of receipt of
GM's petition is published in accordance with Enforcement Guidance
Bulletin 2016-03 and does not represent any Agency decision or other
exercise of judgment concerning the merits of the petition.

II. Class of Motor Vehicles Involved

GM's petition involves certain GMT900 vehicles that contain the
covered passenger inflators (designated as inflator types ``SPI YP''
and ``PSPI-L YD''). GMT900 is a GM-specific vehicle platform that forms
the structural foundation for a variety of GM trucks and sport utility
vehicles, including: Chevrolet Silverado 1500, GMC Sierra 1500,
Chevrolet Silverado 2500/3500, GMC Sierra 2500/3500, Chevrolet Tahoe,
Chevrolet Suburban, Chevrolet Avalanche, GMC Yukon, GMC Yukon XL,
Cadillac Escalade, Cadillac Escalade ESV, and Cadillac Escalade EXT.
The next Takata DIR, which is due to be filed on December 31, 2016,
is expected to include the following GMT900 vehicles:
In Zone A, model year 2012 GMT900 vehicles. Zone A
comprises the following states and U.S. territories: Alabama,
California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South
Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern
Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands. See Amendment at
] 7.a.
In Zone B, certain model year 2009 GMT900 vehicles. Zone B
comprises the following states: Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District
of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri,
Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio,
Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. See
Amendment at ] 7.b.
In Zone C, certain model year 2007 and 2008 GMT900
vehicles. Zone C comprises the following states: Alaska, Colorado,
Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota,
Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island,
South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. See
Amendment at ] 7.c.

III. Summary of GM's Petition

GM's petition states its belief that the requested modification to
the DIR schedule will not pose an unreasonable risk to motor vehicle
safety. In support of this contention, GM states that it has studied
the long-term performance of the covered passenger inflators and has
conducted an analysis of the ballistic performance of the covered
passenger inflators. Based upon this analysis, GM states that the
covered passenger inflators are not currently at risk of rupture.
According to the petition, GM's position is based upon the following:
An estimated 44,000 Takata passenger inflator deployments in GMT900
vehicles without a rupture; ballistic tests of 1055 covered passenger
inflators without a rupture or sign of abnormal deployment; deployment
of 12 inflators artificially exposed to additional humidity and
temperature cycling without a rupture or sign of abnormal deployment;
and analysis, through stress-strength interference, indicating that the
propellant in older covered passenger inflators has not degraded to a
sufficient degree to create rupture risk.
GM further states that the covered passenger inflators are not used
by any other original equipment manufacturer and have a number of
unique design features that influence burn rates and internal ballistic
dynamics, including greater vent-area-to-propellant-mass ratios, steel
end caps, and thinner propellant wafers. In addition, GM states that
the physical environment of the GMT900 vehicles better protects the
covered passenger inflators from the temperature cycling that can cause
rupture. More specifically, GM notes that the GMT900 vehicles have
larger interior volumes than smaller passenger cars, and are equipped
with solar-absorbing windshields and side glass.
Finally, GM states that it has retained a third-party expert to
conduct a long-term aging study that will estimate the service life
expectancy of the covered passenger inflators in the GMT900 vehicles.
GM anticipates that this study will be complete in August 2017.
For these reasons, GM requests that NHTSA amend the DIR schedule
pursuant to Paragraph 17 of the Amendment to delay the inclusion of the
covered passenger inflators until the December 31, 2017 DIR filing.

Authority: 49 U.S.C. 30101, et seq., 30118, 30162, 30166(b)(1),
30166(g)(1); delegation of authority at 49 CFR 1.95(a).

Issued: September 15, 2016.
Michael Brown,
Acting Director, Office of Defects Investigation.
[FR Doc. 2016-22631 Filed 9-16-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-59-P

64576 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 182 / Tuesday, September 20, 2016 / Notices

schedule to delay the inclusion of conducted an analysis of the ballistic DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
covered GM passenger-side inflators performance of the covered passenger
from December 31, 2016 to December inflators. Based upon this analysis, GM Office of Foreign Assets Control
31, 2017. This notice of receipt of GM’s states that the covered passenger
petition is published in accordance with Sanctions Actions Pursuant to
inflators are not currently at risk of
Enforcement Guidance Bulletin 2016–03 Executive Order 13224
rupture. According to the petition, GM’s
and does not represent any Agency position is based upon the following: AGENCY: Office of Foreign Assets
decision or other exercise of judgment An estimated 44,000 Takata passenger Control, Treasury.
concerning the merits of the petition. inflator deployments in GMT900 ACTION: Notice.
II. Class of Motor Vehicles Involved vehicles without a rupture; ballistic
tests of 1055 covered passenger inflators SUMMARY: The Treasury Department’s
GM’s petition involves certain Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC)
GMT900 vehicles that contain the without a rupture or sign of abnormal
deployment; deployment of 12 inflators is publishing the names of 2 individuals
covered passenger inflators (designated whose property and interests in
as inflator types ‘‘SPI YP’’ and ‘‘PSPI– artificially exposed to additional
humidity and temperature cycling property are blocked pursuant to
L YD’’). GMT900 is a GM-specific Executive Order 13224 of September 23,
vehicle platform that forms the without a rupture or sign of abnormal
2001, ‘‘Blocking Property and
structural foundation for a variety of GM deployment; and analysis, through
Prohibiting Transactions With Persons
trucks and sport utility vehicles, stress-strength interference, indicating Who Commit, Threaten To Commit, or
including: Chevrolet Silverado 1500, that the propellant in older covered Support Terrorism.’’
GMC Sierra 1500, Chevrolet Silverado passenger inflators has not degraded to
DATES: OFAC’s actions described in this
2500/3500, GMC Sierra 2500/3500, a sufficient degree to create rupture risk.
Chevrolet Tahoe, Chevrolet Suburban, notice were effective on September 15,
GM further states that the covered 2016.
Chevrolet Avalanche, GMC Yukon, passenger inflators are not used by any
GMC Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade, FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
other original equipment manufacturer Associate Director for Global Targeting,
Cadillac Escalade ESV, and Cadillac
and have a number of unique design tel.: 202/622–2420, Assistant Director
Escalade EXT.
The next Takata DIR, which is due to features that influence burn rates and for Sanctions Compliance & Evaluation,
be filed on December 31, 2016, is internal ballistic dynamics, including tel.: 202/622–2490, Assistant Director
expected to include the following greater vent-area-to-propellant-mass for Licensing, tel.: 202/622–2480, Office
GMT900 vehicles: ratios, steel end caps, and thinner of Foreign Assets Control, or Chief
• In Zone A, model year 2012 propellant wafers. In addition, GM Counsel (Foreign Assets Control), tel.:
GMT900 vehicles. Zone A comprises the states that the physical environment of 202/622–2410, Office of the General
following states and U.S. territories: the GMT900 vehicles better protects the Counsel, Department of the Treasury
Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, covered passenger inflators from the (not toll free numbers).
Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South temperature cycling that can cause SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American rupture. More specifically, GM notes
Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Electronic Availability
that the GMT900 vehicles have larger
Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin interior volumes than smaller passenger The SDN List and additional
Islands. See Amendment at ¶ 7.a. cars, and are equipped with solar- information concerning OFAC sanctions
• In Zone B, certain model year 2009 absorbing windshields and side glass. programs are available from OFAC’s
GMT900 vehicles. Zone B comprises the Web site (www.treas.gov/ofac).
following states: Arizona, Arkansas, Finally, GM states that it has retained
a third-party expert to conduct a long- Notice of OFAC Actions
Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois,
Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, term aging study that will estimate the On September 15, 2016, OFAC
Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New service life expectancy of the covered blocked the property and interests in
Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, passenger inflators in the GMT900 property of the following 2 individuals
Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, vehicles. GM anticipates that this study pursuant to E.O. 13224, ‘‘Blocking
Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. will be complete in August 2017. Property and Prohibiting Transactions
See Amendment at ¶ 7.b. For these reasons, GM requests that With Persons Who Commit, Threaten To
• In Zone C, certain model year 2007 NHTSA amend the DIR schedule Commit, or Support Terrorism’’:
and 2008 GMT900 vehicles. Zone C pursuant to Paragraph 17 of the Individuals
comprises the following states: Alaska, Amendment to delay the inclusion of
Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, 1. JAMOUS, Hussam (a.k.a. AL-
the covered passenger inflators until the JAMUS, Umar; a.k.a. DA JAMOUS,
Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan,
December 31, 2017 DIR filing. Hussam; a.k.a. KHATTAB, Omar),
Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire,
New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Authority: 49 U.S.C. 30101, et seq., 30118, Antakya, Hatay, Turkey; DOB 08 Jan
Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, 30162, 30166(b)(1), 30166(g)(1); delegation of 1983; alt. DOB 01 Aug 1983; Passport
Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. authority at 49 CFR 1.95(a). N006951090 (Syria); National ID No.
See Amendment at ¶ 7.c. Issued: September 15, 2016. 00413L0105232 (individual) [SDGT]
(Linked To: ISLAMIC STATE OF IRAQ
III. Summary of GM’s Petition Michael Brown,
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES

AND THE LEVANT).
GM’s petition states its belief that the Acting Director, Office of Defects 2. ALHMIDAN, Mohamad Alsaied
requested modification to the DIR Investigation. (a.k.a. AL HAMIDAN, Mohamad
schedule will not pose an unreasonable [FR Doc. 2016–22631 Filed 9–16–16; 8:45 am] Alsaied; a.k.a. ALHEMEDAN, Mohamad
risk to motor vehicle safety. In support BILLING CODE 4910–59–P Alsaeed; a.k.a. ALHMEDAN, Mohamad
of this contention, GM states that it has Alsaeed; a.k.a. ALHMIDAN, Mohamad;
studied the long-term performance of a.k.a. ALUOALII, Mohamad; a.k.a.
the covered passenger inflators and has ALWAKIE, Mohamad; a.k.a. AYSSA,

VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:13 Sep 19, 2016 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00149 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\20SEN1.SGM 20SEN1

Document Created: 2018-02-09 13:20:08
Document Modified: 2018-02-09 13:20:08

Category		Regulatory Information
Collection		Federal Register
sudoc Class		AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106:
Publisher		Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
Section		Notices
Action		Receipt of petition.
Dates		The closing date for comments on the petition is October 4, 2016.
FR Citation		81 FR 64575

81 FR 64575 - General Motors LLC, Receipt of Petition To Amend Takata DIR Schedule

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATIONNational Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 182 (September 20, 2016)

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration