[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 52 (Thursday, March 17, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-6174]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: March 17, 1994]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
[Docket No. 94-15; Notice 1]
Receipt of Petition for Determination That Nonconforming 1993
Mercedes-Benz 300SE Passenger Cars Are Eligible for Importation
AGENCY: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of receipt of petition for determination that
nonconforming 1993 Mercedes-Benz 300SE passenger cars are eligible for
importation.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This notice announces receipt by the National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration (NHTSA) of a petition for a determination that a
1993 Mercedes-Benz 300SE 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 modified to conform to the standards.
DATES: The closing date for comments on the petition is April 18, 1994.
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 Street, SW.,
Washington, DC 20590. (Docket hours are from 9:30 am to 4 pm)
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ted Bayler, Office of Vehicle Safety
Compliance, NHTSA (202-366-5306).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
Under section 108(c)(3)(A)(i) of the National Traffic and Motor
Vehicle Safety Act (the Act), 15 U.S.C. 1397(c)(3)(A)(i), 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 on and after January 31, 1990, unless
NHTSA has determined that the motor vehicle is substantially similar to
a motor vehicle originally manufactured for importation into and sale
in the United States, certified under 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 modified to conform to all applicable
Federal motor vehicle safety standards.
Petitions for eligibility determinations 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 determines, 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 determination
in the Federal Register.
G&K Automotive Conversion, Inc. of Santa Ana, California (``G&K'')
(Registered Importer No. R-90-007) has petitioned NHTSA to determine
whether 1993 Mercedes-Benz 300SE (Model ID 140.032) passenger cars are
eligible for importation into the United States. The vehicle which G&K
believes is substantially similar is the 1993 Mercedes Benz 300SE that
Daimler Benz A.G. manufactured for importation into and sale in the
United States, and certified as conforming to all applicable Federal
motor vehicle safety standards.
The petitioner states that it carefully compared the non-U.S.-
certified 300SE to its U.S.-certified counterpart, and found the two
vehicles to be substantially similar with respect to compliance with
most applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standards.
G&K submitted information with its petition intended to demonstrate
that the non-U.S.-certified 300SE, as originally manufactured, conforms
to many Federal motor vehicle safety standards in the same manner as
its U.S.-certified counterpart, or is capable of being readily modified
to conform to those standards.
Specifically, the petitioner claims that the non-U.S. certified
1993 model 300SE is identical to the U.S.-certified 1993 model 300SE
with respect to compliance with Standard Nos. 102 Transmission Shift
Lever Sequence . . . ., 103 Defrosting and Defogging Systems, 104
Windshield Wiping and Washing Systems, 105 Hydraulic Brake Systems,
106, Brake Hoses, 107 Reflecting Surfaces, 109 New Pneumatic Tires, 113
Hood Latch Systems, 116 Brake Fluid, 124 Accelerator Control Systems,
201Occupant 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, 207
Seating Systems, 209 Seat Belt Assemblies, 210 Seat Belt Assembly
Anchorages, 211 Wheel Nuts, Wheel Discs and Hubcaps, 212 Windshield
Retention, 216 Roof Crush Resistance, 219 Windshield Zone Intrusion,
and 302 Flammability of Interior Materials.
Petitioner also contends that the non-U.S.-certified 1993 model
300SE is capable of being readily modified 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 ECE symbol on the brake failure
indicator lamp; (b) installation of a seat belt warning lamp that
displays the seat belt 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 sealed beam headlamps and front sidemarkers; (b)
installation of U.S.-model taillamp asemblies which incorporate rear
sidemarkers; (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 passenger
side rearview mirror, which is convex but lacks the required warning
statement.
Standard No. 114 Theft Protection: Installation of a buzzer
microswitch in the steering lock assembly and a warning buzzer.
Standard No. 115 Vehicle Identification Number: Installation of a
VIN plate that can be read from outside the left windshield pillar, and
a VIN reference label on the edge of the door or latch post nearest the
driver.
Standard No. 118 Power-Operated Window Systems: Rewiring of the
power window system so that the window transport is inoperative when
the ignition is switched off.
Standard No. 206 Door Locks and Door Retention Components:
Modification of the rear door locks to comply with the standard.
Standard No. 208 Occupant Crash Protection: (a) Installation of a
seat belt warning buzzer; (b) replacement of the existing Type 1 rear
seat belts with U.S.-model belts equipped with retractors; (c)
replacement of the existing air bag with a U.S.-model component. The
petitioner claims that the vehicle is equipped with knee bolsters as
part of its existing automatic restraint system.
Standard No. 214 Side Door Strength: 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 the bumpers on the non-
U.S.-certified 1993 model 300SE must be reinforced to comply with the
Bumper Standard found in 49 CFR part 581.
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 on the petition
will be published in the Federal Register pursuant to the authority
indicated below.
Authority: 15 U.S.C. 1397 (c) (3) (A) (i) (I) and (C) (ii); 49
CFR 593.8; delegations of authority at 49 CFR 1.50 and 501.8.
Issued on: February 23, 1994.
William A. Boehly,
Associate Administrator for Enforcement.
[FR Doc. 94-6174 Filed 3-16-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-59-M
