96-5129. Decision that Nonconforming 1992 and 1993 Mercedes-Benz 500SEL Passenger Cars are Eligible for Importation

[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 45 (Wednesday, March 6, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 9004-9005]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-5129]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
[Docket No. 95-96; Notice 2]


Decision that Nonconforming 1992 and 1993 Mercedes-Benz 500SEL 
Passenger Cars are Eligible for Importation

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

ACTION: Notice of decision by NHTSA that nonconforming 1992 and 1993 
Mercedes-Benz 500SEL passenger cars are eligible for importation.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces the decision by NHTSA that 1992 and 1993 
Mercedes-Benz 500SEL 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 
versions of the 1992 and 1993 Mercedes-Benz 500SEL), and they are 
capable of being readily altered to conform to the standards.

EFFECTIVE DATE: March 6, 1996.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
George Entwistle, Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance, NHTSA (202-3766-
5306).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Under 49 U.S.C. 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), 

[[Page 9005]]
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 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 500SEL passenger cars are eligible for 
importation into the United States. NHTSA publishes notice of the 
petition on December 15, 1995 (60 FR 64468) 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-147 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 500SEL (Model ID 140.051) passenger 
cars not originally manufactured to comply with all applicable Federal 
motor vehicle safety standards are substantially similar to 1992 and 
1993 Mercedes-Benz 500SEL 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 February 29, 1996.
Marilynne Jacobs,
Director Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance.
[FR Doc. 96-5129 Filed 3-5-96; 8:45 am]
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