[/FONT][FONT=ArialMT]. As previously indicated, an import
eligibility decision can be based on the substantial similarity of a non-U.S.
certified vehicle to a vehicle manufactured for importation and sale in the United
States, and so certified by its original manufacturer. If the vehicle you are seeking
to import is right-hand drive, even if there were a U.S.- certified version of that
vehicle, it might not be considered "substantially similar" for import eligibility
purposes. Our experience has shown that the safety performance of right-hand
drive vehicles is not necessarily the same as that of apparently similar left-hand
drive vehicles offered for sale in this country. However, NHTSA will consider the
vehicles "substantially similar" if the manufacturer advises the agency in writing,
on the manufacturer ' s letterhead (and not that of an authorized dealership or
other such entity affiliated with the manufacturer) that the right-hand drive vehicle
would perform the same as the U.S.-certified left-hand drive vehicle in crash
tests. Absent such evidence, the petitioning RI would have to demonstrate that
the vehicle, when modified, would comply. In this case, you might want to contact
one or more of the RIs listed on our website to obtain their opinion on the
feasibility of conforming the right-hand drive vehicle to the FMVSS, and the costs
involved in conforming the vehicle and petitioning NHTSA for a determination as
to whether the vehicle is eligible for importation.