[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 29 (Wednesday, February 12, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 6611-6612]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-3447]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
[Docket No. 97-007; Notice 1]


Notice of Receipt of Petition for Decision That Nonconforming 
1994 Mercedes-Benz C280 Passenger Cars Are Eligible for Importation

AGENCY: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of receipt of petition.

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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 1994 
Mercedes-Benz C280 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 14, 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).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Under 49 U.S.C. 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. 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 (``Champagne'') 
(Registered Importer 90-009) has petitioned NHTSA to decide whether 
1994 Mercedes-Benz C280 passenger cars are eligible for importation 
into the United States. The vehicle which Champagne believes is 
substantially similar is the 1994 Mercedes-Benz C280 that was 
manufactured for importation into, and sale in, the United States and 
certified by its manufacturer, Daimler Benz A.G., as conforming to all 
applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standards.
    The petitioner claims that it carefully compared the non-U.S. 
certified 1994 Mercedes-Benz C280 to its U.S. certified counterpart, 
and found the two vehicles to be substantially similar with respect to 
compliance with most Federal motor vehicle safety standards.
    Champagne submitted information with its petition intended to 
demonstrate that the non-U.S. certified 1994 Mercedes-Benz C280, as 
originally manufactured, conforms to many Federal motor vehicle safety 
standards in the same manner as its U.S. certified counterpart, or is 
capable of being readily altered to conform to those standards.
    Specifically, the petitioner claims that the non-U.S. certified 
1994 Mercedes-Benz C280 is identical to its U.S. certified counterpart 
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, 204  Steering 
Control Rearward Displacement, 205  Glazing Materials, 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 non-U.S. certified 
1994 Mercedes-Benz C280 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 Mirror: Replacement of the passenger 
side rearview mirror, which is convex.
    Standard No. 114  Theft Protection: Installation of a warning 
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

[[Page 6612]]

inoperative when the ignition is switched off.
    Standard No. 206  Door Locks and Door Retention Components: 
replacement of the rear door locks and rear door lock buttons with 
U.S.-model components.
    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 and passenger's side air bags 
and knee bolsters with U.S.-model components if such components are not 
already installed on the vehicle. The petitioner states that the 
vehicle is equipped with combination lap and shoulder belts that adjust 
by means of an automatic retractor and release by means of a single 
push button in each front designated seating position, with combination 
lap and shoulder belts that release by means of a single push button in 
each rear outboard designated seating position, 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.
    Petitioner also states that a vehicle identification number plate 
will be affixed to the vehicle to meet the requirements of 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 February 6, 1997.
Marilynne Jacobs,
Director, Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance.
[FR Doc. 97-3447 Filed 2-11-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-59-P