96-12633. Decision That Nonconforming 1990 Mercedes-Benz 500SEL Passenger Cars Are Eligible for Importation

[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 98 (Monday, May 20, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Page 25266]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-12633]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
[Docket No. 98-025; Notice 2]


Decision That Nonconforming 1990 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 1990 Mercedes-
Benz 500SEL passenger cars are eligible for importation.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces the decision by NHTSA that 1990 
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 a vehicle originally manufactured for 
importation into and sale in the United States and certified by its 
manufacturer as complying with the safety standards (the 1990 Mercedes-
Benz 560SEL), and they are capable of being readily altered to conform 
to the standards.

EFFECTIVE DATE: May 20, 1996.

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 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 vehicles 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.
    G&K Automotive Conversion, Inc. of Santa Ana, California 
(Registered Importer R-90-007) petitioned NHTSA to decide whether 1990 
Mercedes-Benz 500SEL passenger cars are eligible for importation into 
the United States. NHTSA published notice of the petition on March 25, 
1996 (61 FR 12129) 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 of 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-153 is the vehicle eligibility number assigned to vehicles 
admissible under this notice of final decision.

Final Decision

    Accordingly, on the basis of the foregoing, NHTSA hereby decides 
that a 1990 Mercedes-Benz 500SEL is substantially similar to a 1990 
Mercedes-Benz 560SEL originally manufactured for importation into and 
sale in the United States and certified under 49 U.S.C. 30115, and is 
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: May 14, 1996
Marilynne Jacobs,
Director, Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance.
[FR Doc. 96-12633 Filed 5-17-96; 8:45 am]
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