[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 119 (Wednesday, June 19, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 31219-31220]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-15527]



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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
[Docket No. 96-35; Notice 2]


Decision That Nonconforming 1995 Mercedes-Benz C220 Passenger 
Cars Are Eligible for Importation

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

ACTION: Notice of decision by NHTSA that nonconforming 1995 Mercedes-
Benz C220 passenger cars are eligible for importation.

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

SUMMARY: This notice announces the decision by NHTSA that 1995 
Mercedes-Benz C220 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 U.S.-certified version of the 
1995 Mercedes-Benz C220), and they are capable of being readily altered 
to conform to the standards.

DATES: This decision is effective as of the date of its publication in 
the Federal Register.

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 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.
    Champagne Imports, Inc. of Lansdale, Pennsylvania (Registered 
Importer R-90-009) petitioned NHTSA to decide whether 1995 Mercedes-
Benz C220 passenger cars are eligible for importation into the United 
States. NHTSA published notice of the petition on April 5, 1996 (61 FR 
15335) to afford an opportunity for public comment. The reader is 
referred to that notice for a thorough description of the petition. No 
comments 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.

[[Page 31220]]

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-157 is the vehicle eligibility number assigned to vehicles 
admissible under this decision.

Final Decision

    Accordingly, on the basis of the foregoing, NHTSA hereby decides 
that a 1995 Mercedes-Benz C220 (Model ID 202.022) not originally 
manufactured to comply with all applicable Federal motor vehicle safety 
standards is substantially similar to a 1995 Mercedes-Benz C220 
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: June 13, 1996.
Marilynne Jacobs,
Director, Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance.
[FR Doc. 96-15527 Filed 6-18-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-59-M