[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