[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 144 (Thursday, July 25, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 38795-38796]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-18955]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
[Docket No. 96-40; Notice 2]


Decision That Nonconforming 1994 Mercedes-Benz E500 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 E500 passenger cars are eligible for importation.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces the decision by NHTSA that 1994 
Mercedes-Benz E500 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 
1994 Mercedes-Benz E500), and they are capable of being readily altered 
to conform to the standards.

DATES: This decision is effective July 25, 1996.

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) 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 petitioned NHTSA 
to decide whether 1994 Mercedes-Benz E500 passenger cars are eligible 
for importation into the United States. NHTSA published notice of the 
petition on April 24, 1996 (61 FR 18188) 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.

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-163 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

[[Page 38796]]

1994 Mercedes-Benz E500 (Model ID 124.036) not originally manufactured 
to comply with all applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standards is 
substantially similar to a 1994 Mercedes-Benz E500 originally 
manufactured for importation into and sale in the United States and 
certified under 49 U.S.C. 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: July 19, 1996.
Marilynne Jacobs,
Director, Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance.
[FR Doc. 96-18955 Filed 7-24-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-59-P