[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 22 (Monday, February 3, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 5067-5068]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-2605]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
[Docket No. 97-006; Notice 1]
Notice of Receipt of Petition for Decision That Nonconforming
1992 Mercedes-Benz 230CE Passenger Cars Are Eligible for Importation
AGENCY: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of receipt of petition for decision that nonconforming
1992 Mercedes-Benz 230CE passenger cars are eligible for importation.
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SUMMARY: This notice announces receipt by the National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration (NHTSA) of a petition for a decision that a 1992
Mercedes-Benz 230CE that was not originally manufactured to comply with
all applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standards is eligible for
importation into the United States because (1) it is substantially
similar to a vehicle that was originally manufactured for importation
into and sale in the United States and that was certified by its
manufacturer as complying with the safety standards, and (2) it is
capable of being readily altered to conform to the standards.
DATES: The closing date for comments on the petition is March 3, 1997.
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).
[[Page 5068]]
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
Under 49 U.S.C. Sec. 30141(a)(1)(A), 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,
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
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.
Champagne Imports, Inc. of Lansdale, Pennsylvania (Registered
Importer No. R-90-009) has petitioned NHTSA to decide whether 1992
Mercedes-Benz 230CE passenger cars are eligible for importation into
the United States. The vehicle which Champagne believes is
substantially similar is the 1992 Mercedes-Benz 300CE. Champagne has
submitted information indicating that Daimler Benz, A.G., the company
that manufactured the 1992 Mercedes-Benz 300CE, certified that vehicle
as conforming to all applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standards
and offered it for sale in the United States.
The petitioner contends that it carefully compared the 1992
Mercedes-Benz 230CE to the 1992 Mercedes-Benz 300CE, and found the two
models to be substantially similar with respect to compliance with most
applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standards.
Champagne submitted information with its petition intended to
demonstrate that the 1992 Mercedes-Benz 230CE, as originally
manufactured, conforms to many Federal motor vehicle safety standards
in the same manner as the 1992 Mercedes-Benz 300CE that was offered for
sale in the United States, or is capable of being readily altered to
conform to those standards.
Specifically, the petitioner claims that the 1992 Mercedes-Benz
230CE is identical to the certified 1992 Mercedes-Benz 300CE with
respect to compliance with Standards Nos. 102 Transmission Shift Lever
Sequence * * *., 103 Defrosting and Defogging Systems, 104 Windshield
Wiping and Washing Systems, 105 Hydraulic Brake Systems, 106 Brake
Hoses, 109 New Pneumatic Tires, 113 Hood Latch Systems, 116 Brake
Fluid, 124 Accelerator Control Systems, 201 Occupant Protection in
Interior Impact, 202 Head Restraints, 203 Impact Protection for the
Driver From the Steering Control System, 204 Steering Control Rearward
Displacement, 205 Glazing Materials, 206 Door Locks and Door Retention
Components, 207 Seating Systems, 209 Seat Belt Assemblies, 210 Seat
Belt Assembly Anchorages, 212 Windshield Retention, 216 Roof Crush
Resistance, 219 Windshield Zone Intrusion, and 302 Flammability of
Interior Materials.
Additionally, the petitioner states that the 1992 Mercedes-Benz
230CE complies with the Bumper Standard found in 49 CFR Part 581.
Petitioner also contends that the vehicle is capable of being
readily altered to meet 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 noncomplying symbol on the brake
failure indicator lamp; (b) installation of a seat belt warning lamp
that displays the appropriate symbol; (c) recalibration of the
speedometer/odometer from kilometers to miles per hour.
Standard No. 108 Lamps, Reflective Devices and Associated
Equipment: (a) installation of U.S.-model headlamp assemblies which
incorporate U.S.-model headlamps; (b) installation of U.S.-model front
and rear sidemarker/reflector assemblies; (c) installation of U.S.-
model taillamp assemblies; (c) installation of a high mounted stop
lamp.
Standard No. 110 Tire Selection and Rims: installation of a tire
information placard.
Standard No. 111 Rearview Mirrors: replacement of the convex
passenger side rear view mirror.
Standard No. 114 Theft Protection: installation of a buzzer
microswitch in the steering lock assembly, and a warning buzzer.
Standard No. 118 Power Window Systems: rewiring of the power
window system so that the window transport is inoperative when the
ignition is switched off.
Standard No. 208 Occupant Crash Protection: (a) installation of a
U.S.-model seat belt in the driver's position, or a belt webbing-
actuated microswitch inside the driver's seat belt retractor; (b)
installation of an ignition switch-actuated seat belt warning lamp and
buzzer; (c) replacement of the driver's side air bag and knee bolster
with U.S.-model components. The petitioner states that the vehicle is
equipped with a combination lap and shoulder restraint that adjusts by
means of an automatic retractor and releases by means of a single push
button in each front designated seating position, and with combination
lap and shoulder restraints with a single button release in both rear
outboard seating positions.
Standard No. 214 Side Impact Protection: installation of
reinforcing beams.
Standard No. 301 Fuel System Integrity: installation of a rollover
valve in the fuel tank vent line between the fuel tank and the
evaporative emissions collection canister.
Additionally, the petitioner states that a vehicle identification
number (VIN) plate must be affixed to the vehicle to comply with 49 CFR
Part 565.
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, S.W., 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 on the petition
will be published in the Federal Register pursuant to the authority
indicated below.
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 29, 1997.
Marilynne Jacobs,
Director,
Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance.
[FR Doc. 97-2605 Filed 1-31-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-59-P
