96-3811. Notice of Receipt of Petition for Decision That Nonconforming 1992 Through 1996 Mercedes-Benz Type 463 Long Wheel Base V-8 Gelaendewagen Multi-Purpose Passenger Vehicles Are Eligible for Importation  

  • [Federal Register Volume 61, Number 35 (Wednesday, February 21, 1996)]
    [Notices]
    [Pages 6684-6685]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 96-3811]
    
    
    
    -----------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
    National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
    [Docket No. 96-14; Notice 1]
    
    
    Notice of Receipt of Petition for Decision That Nonconforming 
    1992 Through 1996 Mercedes-Benz Type 463 Long Wheel Base V-8 
    Gelaendewagen Multi-Purpose Passenger Vehicles Are Eligible for 
    Importation
    
    AGENCY: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, DOT.
    
    ACTION: Request for comments on petition for decision that 
    nonconforming 1992 through 1996 Mercedes-Benz Type 463 Long Wheel Base 
    V-8 Gelaendewagen multi-purpose passenger vehicles (MPVs) are eligible 
    for importation.
    
    -----------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    SUMMARY: This notice requests comments on a petition submitted to the 
    National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for a decision 
    that 1992 through 1996 Mercedes-Benz Type 463 Long Wheel Base V-8 
    Gelaendewagen MPVs that were not originally manufactured to comply with 
    all applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standards are eligible for 
    importation into the United States because they have safety features 
    that comply with, or are capable of being altered to comply with, all 
    such standards.
    
    DATES: The closing date for comments on the petition is March 22, 1996.
    
    ADDRESSES: Comments should refer to the docket number and notice 
    number, and be submitted to: Docket Section, Room 5109, National 
    Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 400 Seventh St., SW, Washington, 
    DC 20590. [Docket hours are from 9:30 am to 4 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) (formerly section 
    109(c)(3)(A)(i)(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. Sec. 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. Where there is 
    no substantially similar U.S.-certified motor vehicle, 49 U.S.C. 
    30141(a)(1)(B) (formerly section 108(c)(3)(A)(i)(II) of the Act, 15 
    U.S.C. 1397(c)(3)(A)(i)(II)) permits a nonconforming motor vehicle to 
    be admitted into the United States if its safety features comply with, 
    or are capable of being altered to comply with, all applicable Federal 
    motor vehicle safety standards based on destructive test data or such 
    other evidence as NHTSA decides to be adequate.
        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.
        Europa International, Inc. of Santa Fe, New Mexico (Registered 
    Importer No. R-91-002) has petitioned NHTSA to decide whether 1992 
    through 1996 Mercedes-Benz Type 463 Long Wheel Base V-8 Gelaendewagen 
    MPVs are eligible for importation into the United States. Europa 
    contends that these vehicles are eligible for importation under 49 
    U.S.C. Sec. 30141(a)(1)(B) because they have safety features that 
    comply with, or are capable of being altered to comply with, all 
    applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standards.
        Specifically, the petitioner claims that 1992 through 1996 
    Mercedes-Benz Type 463 Long Wheel Base V-8 Gelaendewagen MPVs have 
    safety features that comply with Standard Nos. 102 Transmission Shift 
    Lever Sequence * * * (based on visual inspection and operation), 103 
    Defrosting and Defogging Systems (based on inspection), 104 Windshield 
    Wiping and Washing Systems (based on operation), 106 Brake Hoses (based 
    on visual inspection of certification markings), 107 Reflecting 
    Surfaces (based on visual inspection), 113 Hood Latch Systems (based on 
    information in owner's manual describing operation of secondary latch 
    mechanism), 116 Brake Fluids (based on visual inspection of 
    certification markings and information in owner's manual describing 
    fluids installed at factory), 119 New Pneumatic Tires for Vehicles 
    other than Passenger Cars (based on visual inspection of certification 
    markings), 124 Accelerator Control Systems (based on operation and 
    comparison to U.S.-certified vehicles), 201 Occupant Protection in 
    Interior Impact (based on test data and certification of vehicle to 
    European standard), 202 Head Restraints (based on Standard No. 208 test 
    data for 1993 model year vehicle with same head restraint and 
    certification of vehicle to European standard), 204 Steering Control 
    Rearward Displacement (based 
    
    [[Page 6685]]
    on test film), 205 Glazing Materials (based on visual inspection of 
    certification markings, 207 Seating Systems, (based on test results and 
    certification of vehicle to European standard), 209 Seat Belt 
    Assemblies (based on wiring diagram of seat belt warning system and 
    visual inspection of certification markings), 211 Wheel Nuts, Wheel 
    Discs and Hubcaps (based on visual inspection), 214 Side Impact 
    Protection (based on test results for identically equipped 1995 model 
    year vehicle), 219 Windshield Zone Intrusion (based on test results and 
    certification information for identically equipped 1993 model year 
    vehicle), and 302 Flammability of Interior Materials (based on 
    composition of upholstery).
        The petitioner also contends that 1992 through 1996 Mercedes-Benz 
    Type 463 Long Wheel Base V-8 Gelaen MPVs are capable of being altered 
    to comply with the following standards, in the manner indicated:
        Standard No. 101 Controls and Displays: (a) Substitution of a lens 
    marked ``Brake'' for a lens with an ECE symbol on the brake failure 
    indicator lamp; (b) installation of a speedometer/odometer calibrated 
    in miles per hour.
        Standard No. 105 Hydraulic Brake Systems: Placement of warning 
    label on brake fluid reservoir cap.
        Standard No. 108 Lamps, Reflective Devices and Associated 
    Equipment: (a) Installation of U.S.-model sealed beam headlamps; (b) 
    installation of U.S.-model side marker lamps and reflectors; (c) 
    installation of a high mounted stop lamp on vehicles manufactured after 
    September 1, 1993. The petitioner asserts that testing performed on the 
    taillamp reveals that it complies with the standard, even though it 
    lacks a DOT certification marking, and that all other lights are DOT 
    certified.
        Standard No. 111 Rearview Mirrors: Inscription of the required 
    warning statement on the convex surface of the passenger side rearview 
    mirror.
        Standard No. 114 Theft Protection: Installation of a warning buzzer 
    in the steering lock electrical circuit.
        Standard No. 115 Vehicle Identification Number: Installation of a 
    VIN plate that can be read from outside the left windshield pillar.
        Standard No. 118 Power-Operated Window Systems: Rewiring of the 
    power window system so that the window transport is inoperative when 
    the front doors are open.
        Standard No. 120 Tire Selection and Rims for Vehicles other than 
    Passenger Cars: Installation of a tire information placard. The 
    petitioner asserts that even though the tire rims lack a DOT 
    certification marking, they comply with the standard, based on their 
    manufacturer's certification that they comply with the German TUV 
    regulations, as well as their certification by the British Standard 
    Association and the Rim Association of Australia.
        Standard No. 206 Door Locks and Door Retention Components: 
    Installation of interior locking buttons on all door locks and 
    modification of rear door locks to disable latch release controls when 
    locking mechanism is engaged.
        Standard No. 208 Occupant Crash Protection: Installation of a 
    complying driver's side air bag and a seat belt warning system. The 
    petitioner asserts that the vehicle conforms to the standard's injury 
    criteria at the front passenger position based on a test report from 
    the vehicle's manufacturer. The petitioner additionally submitted a 
    letter from an engineering concern stating that in frontal impact 
    tests, a vehicle equipped with a V-8 engine will yield driver and 
    passenger HIC measurements that are equivalent to, or better than those 
    of a vehicle equipped with a 6 cylinder engine. The letter attributes 
    this primarily to the fact that a V-8 engine block is six inches 
    shorter than a 6 cylinder engine block, providing a greater crush-zone 
    and therefore a less severe crash pulse. The petitioner states that it 
    intends to meet automatic restraint phase-in requirements for vehicles 
    manufactured after September 1, 1995 by importing other vehicles 
    equipped with passenger-side automatic restraints.
        Standard No. 210 Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages: Insertion of 
    instructions on the installation and use of child restraints in the 
    owner's manual for the vehicle. The petitioner asserts that the vehicle 
    is certified as complying with a European standard that contains more 
    severe force application requirements than those of this standard.
        Standard No. 212 Windshield Retention: Application of cement to the 
    windshield's edges.
        Standard No. 301 Fuel System Integrity: Installation of a rollover 
    valve.
        Interested persons are invited to submit comments on the petition 
    described above. Comments should refer to the docket number and be 
    submitted to: Docket Section, National Highway Traffic Safety 
    Administration, Room 5109, 400 Seventh Street, 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 will be published 
    in the Federal Register pursuant to the authority indicated below.
    
        Authority: 49 U.S.C. Sec. 30141(a)(1)(B) and (b)(1); 49 CFR 
    593.8; delegations of authority at 49 CFR 1.50 and 501.8.
    
        Issued on: February 14, 1996.
    Marilynne Jacobs,
    Director, Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance.
    [FR Doc. 96-3811 Filed 2-20-96; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 4910-59-M
    
    

Document Information

Published:
02/21/1996
Department:
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Entry Type:
Notice
Action:
Request for comments on petition for decision that nonconforming 1992 through 1996 Mercedes-Benz Type 463 Long Wheel Base V-8 Gelaendewagen multi-purpose passenger vehicles (MPVs) are eligible for importation.
Document Number:
96-3811
Dates:
The closing date for comments on the petition is March 22, 1996.
Pages:
6684-6685 (2 pages)
Docket Numbers:
Docket No. 96-14, Notice 1
PDF File:
96-3811.pdf