[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 123 (Tuesday, June 25, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 32892-32893]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-16118]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
[Docket No. 96-061; Notice 1]
Notice of Receipt of Petition for Decision That Nonconforming
1992 Mercedes-Benz 250D 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 250D 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 250D 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 July 25, 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 a.m. to 4 p.m.]
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: George Entwistle, Office of Vehicle
Safety Compliance, NHTSA (202-366-5306).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
Under 49 U.S.C. Sec. 30141(a)(1)(A) (formerly section
108(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.
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 250D passenger cars are eligible for importation into the
United States. The vehicle which Champagne believes is substantially
similar is the 1992 Mercedes-Benz 300E. Champagne has submitted
information indicating that Daimler Benz, A.G., the company that
manufactured the 1992 Mercedes-Benz 300E, 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 250D to the 1992 Mercedes-Benz 300E, 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 250D, as originally
manufactured, conforms to many Federal motor vehicle safety standards
in the same manner as the 1992 Mercedes-Benz 300E 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
250D is identical to the certified 1992 Mercedes-Benz 300E with respect
to compliance with Standards Nos. 102 Transmission Shift Lever Sequence
. . . ., 103 Defrosting and Defogging Systems, 104 Windshield Wiping
and Washing
[[Page 32893]]
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, 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, 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 1992 Zone Intrusion, and 302 Flammability of Interior
Materials.
Additionally, the petitioner states that the 1992 Mercedes- Benz
250D 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 a 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; (b)
installation of U.S.- model front and rear sidemarker/reflector
assemblies; (c) installation of U.S.-model taillamp assemblies; (d)
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 rearview mirror.
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 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:
replacement of the rear door locks and lock buttons with U.S.-model
parts.
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 at each front designated seating position with a combination
lap and shoulder restraint that adjusts by means of an automatic
retractor and releases by means of a single push-button. The petitioner
further states that the vehicle is equipped at both outboard rear
designated seating positions with combination lap and shoulder
restraints that release by means of a single push-button, and with a
lap belt in the rear center designated seating position.
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.
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: June 19, 1996.
Marilynne Jacobs,
Director, Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance.
[FR Doc. 96-16118 Filed 6-24-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-59-P
