[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 33 (Friday, February 16, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 6291-6292]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-3560]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
[Docket No. 95-89; Notice 2]


Decision That Nonconforming 1994 Mercedes-Benz SL280 Passenger 
Cars Are Eligible for Importation

AGENCY: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of decision by NHTSA that nonconforming 1994 Mercedes-
Benz SL280 passenger cars are eligible for importation.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces the decision by NHTSA that 1994 
Mercedes-Benz SL280 passenger cars not originally manufactured to 
comply with all applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standards are 
eligible for importation into the United States because they are 
substantially similar to a vehicle originally manufactured for 
importation into and sale in the United States and certified by its 
manufacturer as complying with the safety standards (the 1994 Mercedes-
Benz SL320), and they are capable of being readily altered to conform 
to the standards.

DATES: The decision is effective February 16, 1996.

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) 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 

[[Page 6292]]
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.
    Liphardt & Associates, Inc. of Ronkonkoma, New York (Registered 
Importer R-90-004) petitioned NHTSA to decide whether 1994 Mercedes-
Benz SL280 passenger cars are eligible for importation into the United 
States. NHTSA published notice of the petition on November 27, 1995 (59 
FR 58432) to afford an opportunity for public comment. The reader is 
referred to that notice for a thorough description of the petition. No 
comment were received in response to the notice. Based on its review of 
the information submitted by the petitioner, NHTSA has decided to grant 
the petition.

Vehicle Eligibility Number for Subject Vehicles

    The importer of a vehicle admissible under any final decision must 
indicate on the form HS-7 accompanying entry the appropriate vehicle 
eligibility number indicating that the vehicle is eligible for entry. 
VSP 145 is the vehicle eligibility number assigned to vehicles 
admissible under this notice of final decision.

Final Decision

    Accordingly, on the basis of the foregoing, NHTSA hereby decides 
that a 1994 Mercedes-Benz SL280 (Body Style 129) is substantially 
similar to a 1994 Mercedes-Benz SL320 originally manufactured for 
importation into and sale in the United States and certified under 49 
U.S.C. Sec. 30115, and is capable of being readily altered to conform 
to all applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standards.

    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: February 13, 1996.
Marilynne Jacobs,
Director, Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance.
[FR Doc. 96-3560 Filed 2-15-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-59-M