[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 218 (Monday, November 13, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 57054-57055]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-27923]



-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
[Docket No. 95-91; Notice 1]


Notice of Receipt of Petition for Decision That Nonconforming 
1992 Mercedes-Benz 300SL 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 300SL passenger cars are eligible for importation.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This notice announces receipt by the National Highway Traffic 
Safety Administration (NHTSA) of a petition for a decision that a 1992 
Mercedes-Benz 300SL 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 13, 
1995.

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 am to 4 pm].

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)(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.
    Liphardt and Associates, Inc. of Ronkonkoma, New York 
(``Liphardt'') (Registered Importer 90-004) has petitioned NHTSA to 
decide whether 1992 Mercedes-Benz 300SL (Body Style 129) passenger cars 
are eligible for importation into the United States. The vehicle which 
Liphardt believes is substantially similar is the 1992 Mercedes-Benz 
300SL 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 1992 Mercedes-Benz 300SL to its U.S. certified counterpart, 
and found the two vehicles to be substantially similar with respect to 
compliance with most Federal motor vehicle safety standards.
    Liphardt submitted information with its petition intended to 
demonstrate that the non-U.S. certified 1992 Mercedes-Benz 300SL, 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 
1992 Mercedes-Benz 300SL 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, 111 
Rearview Mirrors, 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, 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, 301 Fuel System Integrity, and 302 Flammability of Interior 
Materials.
    Additionally, the petitioner states that the non-U.S. certified 
1992 Mercedes-Benz 300SL 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 U.S.-model speedometer/odometer 
assembly.
    Standard No. 108 Lamps, Reflective Devices and Associated 
Equipment: (a) installation of U.S.-model headlamp assemblies and 
sidemarkers; (b) installation of U.S.-model taillamp assemblies; (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 side 
rearview mirror with a U.S.-model component.
    Standard No. 114 Theft Protection: installation of a warning buzzer 
relay 

[[Page 57055]]
and a warning buzzer in the steering lock electrical circuit.
    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 
seat belt warning buzzer; (b) installation of knee bolsters to augment 
the vehicle's air bag-based passive restraint system, which otherwise 
conforms to the standard. The petitioner states that the vehicle is 
also equipped with Type 2 seat belts.
    Standard No. 214 Side Impact Protection: installation of 
reinforcing tubes.
    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 
10590. 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.
Marilynne Jacobs,
Director, Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance.
[FR Doc. 95-27923 Filed 11-9-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-59-M