[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 211 (Wednesday, November 2, 1994)]
[Notices]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-27146]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: November 2, 1994]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
[Docket No. 94-84; Notice 1]
Receipt of Petition for Decision That Nonconforming 1993
Mercedes-Benz 300CE Convertible Passenger Cars Are Eligible for
Importation
AGENCY: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of receipt of petition for decision that nonconforming
1993 Mercedes-Benz 300CE convertible 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 1993
Mercedes-Benz 300CE convertible 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 December 2,
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 St. SW., Washington,
DC 20590. [Docket hours are from 9:30 am to 4 pm]
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ted Bayler, 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)(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. 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 (``Champagne'')
(Registered Importer 90-009) has petitioned NHTSA to decide whether
1993 Mercedes-Benz 300CE convertible passenger cars (Model ID 124.061)
are eligible for importation into the United States. The vehicle which
Champagne believes is substantially similar is the 1993 Mercedes-Benz
300CE convertible that 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 claims that it carefully compared the non-U.S.
certified 1993 Mercedes-Benz 300CE convertible to its U.S. certified
counterpart, and found the two vehicle to be substantially similar with
respect to compliance with most Federal motor vehicle safety standards.
Champagne submitted information with its petition intended to
demonstrate that the non-U.S. certified 1993 Mercedes-Benz 300CE
convertible, as originally manufactured, conforms to many Federal motor
vehicle safety standards in the same manner as its U.S. certified
counterpart, or is capable of being readily altered to conform to those
standards.
Specifically, the petitioner claims that the non-U.S. certified
1993 Mercedes-Benz 300CE convertible is identical to its U.S. certified
counterpart with respect to compliance with Standards 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, 203 Impact Protection for the Driver From the Steering
Control System, 204 Steering Control Rearward Displacement, 205 Glazing
Materials, 206 Door Locks and Door Retention Components, 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.
Additionally, the petitioner states that the non-U.S. certified
1993 Mercedes-Benz 300CE convertible 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 an ECE symbol on the brake failure
indicator lamp; (b) installation of a seat belt warning lamp that
displays the seat belt warning 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 which
incorporate sealed beam headlamps; (b) installation of U.S.-model front
and rear sidemarkers; (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 Mirror: Replacement of the passenger side
rearview mirror, which is convex but lacks the required warning
statement.
Standard No. 114 Theft Protection: Installation of a warning buzzer
microswitch and a warning buzzer in the steering lock assembly.
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. 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 with a U.S.-model
component; (d) installation of a U.S.-model driver's side knee bolster,
passenger side air bag, passenger side knee pad, dual air bag control/
sensor unit, and dual air bag wiring harness. The petitioner stated
that each of the passive restraint system components that are to be
added to the vehicle will have part numbers that are identical to those
found on the U.S. certified 1993 Mercedes-Benz 300CE convertible.
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 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 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: 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: October 24, 1994.
William A. Boehly,
Associate Administrator for Enforcement.
[FR Doc. 94-27146 Filed 11-1-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-59-M