96-1960. Decision That Nonconforming 1992 and 1993 Mercedes-Benz 320SL Passenger Cars Are Eligible for Importation

[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 21 (Wednesday, January 31, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 3521-3522]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-1960]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
[Docket No. 95-81; Notice 2]


Decision That Nonconforming 1992 and 1993 Mercedes-Benz 320SL 
Passenger Cars Are Eligible for Importation

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


[[Page 3522]]

ACTION: Notice of decision by NHTSA that nonconforming 1992 and 1993 
Mercedes-Benz 320SL passenger cars are eligible for importation.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces the decision by NHTSA that 1992 and 1993 
Mercedes-Benz 320SL passenger cars not originally manufactured to 
comply with all applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standards are 
eligible for importation into the United States because they are 
substantially similar to vehicles originally manufactured for 
importation into and sale in the United States and certified by their 
manufacturer as complying with the safety standards (the U.S.-certified 
version of the 1992 and 1993 Mercedes-Benz 320SL), and they are capable 
of being readily altered to conform to the standards.

DATES: This decision is effective January 31, 1996.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: George Entwistle, Office of Vehicle 
Safety Compliance, NHTSA (202-366-5306).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Under 49 U.S.C. Sec. 30141(a)(1)(A) (formerly section 
108(c)(3)(A)(i) of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act 
(the Act)), 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 (formerly section 114 of the 
Act), 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 
manufactures 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.
    G&K Automotive Conversion, Inc. of Santa Ana, California 
(Registered Importer R-90-007) petitioned NHTSA to decide whether 1992 
and 1993 Mercedes-Benz 320SL passenger cars are eligible for 
importation into the United States. NHTSA published notice of the 
petition on October 30, 1995 (60 FR 55298) to afford an opportunity for 
public comment. The reader is referred to that notice for a thorough 
description of the petition. No comments were received in response to 
the notice. Based on its review of the information submitted by the 
petitioner, NHTSA has decided to grant the petition.

Vehicle Eligibility Number for Subject Vehicles

    The importer of a vehicle admissible under any final decision must 
indicate on the form HS-7 accompanying entry the appropriate vehicle 
eligibility number indicating that the vehicle is eligible for entry. 
VSP-142 is the vehicle eligibility number assigned to vehicles 
admissible under this decision.

Final Decision

    Accordingly, on the basis of the foregoing, NHTSA hereby decides 
that 1992 and 1993 Mercedes-Benz 320SL (Model ID 129.063) passenger 
cars not originally manufactured to comply with all applicable Federal 
motor vehicle safety standards are substantially similar to 1992 and 
1993 Mercedes-Benz 320SL passenger cars originally manufactured for 
importation into and sale in the United States and certified under 49 
U.S.C. Sec. 30115, and are capable of being readily altered to conform 
to all applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standards.

    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: January 25, 1996.
Marilynne Jacobs,
Director Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance.
[FR Doc. 96-1960 Filed 1-30-96; 8:45 am]
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