[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 18 (Thursday, January 27, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-1665]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: January 27, 1994]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
[Docket No. 94-06; Notice 1]
Receipt of Petition for Determination That Nonconforming 1991
Mercedes-Benz 500SEL Passenger Cars are Eligible for Importation
AGENCY: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of receipt of petition for determination that
nonconforming 1991 Mercedes-Benz 500SEL 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 determination that a
1991 Mercedes-Benz 500SEL 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 February 28,
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 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
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 must 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
(Registered Importer No. R-90-007) has petitioned NHTSA to determine
whether 1991 Mercedes-Benz 500SEL (Model ID 126.037) passenger cars are
eligible for importation into the United States. The vehicle which G&K
believes is substantially similar is the 1991 Mercedes-Benz 420SEL,
which was manufactured for importation into, and sale in the United
States, and certified by its manufacturer, Daimler Benz A.G., as
conforming to all applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standards.
The petitioner contends that it carefully compared the 1991 model
500SEL to the 1991 model 420SEL, 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 1991 model 500SEL, as originally manufactured, conforms to
many Federal motor vehicle safety standards in the same manner as the
1991 model 420SEL, or is capable of being readily modified to conform
to those standards.
Specifically, the petitioner claims that the 1991 model 500SEL is
identical to the 1991 model 420SEL 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, 201 Occupant Protection in
Interior Impact, 202 Head Restraints, 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 1991 model 500SEL 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) Installment of U.S.- model headlamp assemblies with
incorporate sealed beam headlamps and front sidemarkers; (b)
installation of U.S.-model taillamp assemblies 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 Mirror: Replacement of the passenger's
outside rearview mirror, which is convex but does not bear 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 turned off.
Standard No. 206 Door Locks and Door Retention Components:
Replacement of the rear door locks with U.S.-model components.
Standard No. 208 Occupant Crash Protection: (a) Installation of an
ignition switch-actuated seat belt warning buzzer; (b) replacement of
the existing Type 1 rear seat belts with U.S. model belts equipped with
retractors; (c) installation of knee bolsters to augment the vehicle's
airbag-based 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 and the evaporative
emissions collection canister.
Additionally, the petitioner states that the bumpers on the 1991
model 500SEL 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 Station, 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: January 14, 1994.
William A. Boehly,
Associate Administrator for Enforcement.
[FR Doc. 94-1665 Filed 1-26-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-59-M