[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 123 (Tuesday, June 25, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 32892-32893]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-16118]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
[Docket No. 96-061; Notice 1]


Notice of Receipt of Petition for Decision That Nonconforming 
1992 Mercedes-Benz 250D 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 250D 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 1992 
Mercedes-Benz 250D 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 July 25, 1996.

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 a.m. to 4 p.m.]

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)(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 No. R-90-009) has petitioned NHTSA to decide whether 1992 
Mercedes-Benz 250D passenger cars are eligible for importation into the 
United States. The vehicle which Champagne believes is substantially 
similar is the 1992 Mercedes-Benz 300E. Champagne has submitted 
information indicating that Daimler Benz, A.G., the company that 
manufactured the 1992 Mercedes-Benz 300E, certified that vehicle as 
conforming to all applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standards and 
offered it for sale in the United States.
    The petitioner contends that it carefully compared the 1992 
Mercedes-Benz 250D to the 1992 Mercedes-Benz 300E, and found the two 
models to be substantially similar with respect to compliance with most 
applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standards.
    Champagne submitted information with its petition intended to 
demonstrate that the 1992 Mercedes-Benz 250D, as originally 
manufactured, conforms to many Federal motor vehicle safety standards 
in the same manner as the 1992 Mercedes-Benz 300E that was offered for 
sale in the United States, or is capable of being readily altered to 
conform to those standards.
    Specifically, the petitioner claims that the 1992 Mercedes-Benz 
250D is identical to the certified 1992 Mercedes-Benz 300E with respect 
to compliance with Standards Nos. 102 Transmission Shift Lever Sequence 
. . . ., 103 Defrosting and Defogging Systems, 104 Windshield Wiping 
and Washing

[[Page 32893]]

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, 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 1992 Zone Intrusion, and 302 Flammability of Interior 
Materials.
    Additionally, the petitioner states that the 1992 Mercedes- Benz 
250D 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 a noncomplying symbol on the brake 
failure indicator lamp; (b) installation of a seat belt warning lamp 
that displays the appropriate 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; (b) 
installation of U.S.- model front and rear sidemarker/reflector 
assemblies; (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 Mirrors: replacement of the convex 
passenger side rearview mirror.
    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 Window Systems: rewiring of the power 
window system so that the window transport is inoperative when the 
ignition is switched off.
    Standard No. 206  Door Locks and Door Retention Components: 
replacement of the rear door locks and lock buttons with U.S.-model 
parts.
    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 and knee bolster 
with U.S.-model components. The petitioner states that the vehicle is 
equipped at each front designated seating position with a combination 
lap and shoulder restraint that adjusts by means of an automatic 
retractor and releases by means of a single push-button. The petitioner 
further states that the vehicle is equipped at both outboard rear 
designated seating positions with combination lap and shoulder 
restraints that release by means of a single push-button, and with a 
lap belt in the rear center designated seating position.
    Standard No. 214  Side Impact Protection: 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, S.W., 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: June 19, 1996.
Marilynne Jacobs,
Director, Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance.
[FR Doc. 96-16118 Filed 6-24-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-59-P