[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 22 (Monday, February 3, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 5067-5068]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-2605]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
[Docket No. 97-006; Notice 1]


Notice of Receipt of Petition for Decision That Nonconforming 
1992 Mercedes-Benz 230CE 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 230CE 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 230CE 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 March 3, 1997.

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 am to 4 pm]


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: George Entwistle, Office of Vehicle 
Safety Compliance, NHTSA (202-366-5306).

[[Page 5068]]

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Under 49 U.S.C. Sec. 30141(a)(1)(A), 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, 
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 230CE passenger cars are eligible for importation into 
the United States. The vehicle which Champagne believes is 
substantially similar is the 1992 Mercedes-Benz 300CE. Champagne has 
submitted information indicating that Daimler Benz, A.G., the company 
that manufactured the 1992 Mercedes-Benz 300CE, 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 230CE to the 1992 Mercedes-Benz 300CE, 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 230CE, as originally 
manufactured, conforms to many Federal motor vehicle safety standards 
in the same manner as the 1992 Mercedes-Benz 300CE 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 
230CE is identical to the certified 1992 Mercedes-Benz 300CE 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, 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, 206 Door Locks and Door Retention 
Components, 207 Seating Systems, 209 Seat Belt Assemblies, 210 Seat 
Belt Assembly Anchorages, 212 Windshield Retention, 216 Roof Crush 
Resistance, 219 Windshield Zone Intrusion, and 302 Flammability of 
Interior Materials.
    Additionally, the petitioner states that the 1992 Mercedes-Benz 
230CE 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 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 which 
incorporate U.S.-model headlamps; (b) installation of U.S.-model front 
and rear sidemarker/reflector assemblies; (c) 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 Mirrors: replacement of the convex 
passenger side rear view mirror.
    Standard No. 114  Theft Protection: installation of a buzzer 
microswitch in the steering lock assembly, and a warning buzzer.
    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 
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 with a combination lap and shoulder restraint that adjusts by 
means of an automatic retractor and releases by means of a single push 
button in each front designated seating position, and with combination 
lap and shoulder restraints with a single button release in both rear 
outboard seating positions.
    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.
    Additionally, the petitioner states that a vehicle identification 
number (VIN) plate must be affixed to the vehicle to comply with 49 CFR 
Part 565.
    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: January 29, 1997.
Marilynne Jacobs,
Director,
    Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance.
[FR Doc. 97-2605 Filed 1-31-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-59-P