[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 77 (Tuesday, April 22, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 19649-19650]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-10406]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
[Docket No. 97-22; Notice 1]


Notice of Receipt of Petition for Decision That Nonconforming 
1994 Mercedes-Benz S600L Passenger Cars Are Eligible for Importation

AGENCY: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of receipt of petition for decision that nonconforming 
1994 Mercedes-Benz S600L 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 1994 
Mercedes-Benz S600L 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

[[Page 19650]]

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 May 21, 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. 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 of 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.
    Northern California Diagnostic Laboratories, Inc. of Napa, 
California (``NCDL'') (Registered Importer No. R-92-011) has petitioned 
NHTSA to decide whether 1994 Mercedes-Benz S600L passenger cars are 
eligible for importation into the United States. The vehicle which NCDL 
believes is substantially similar is the 1994 Mercedes-Benz S600. NCDL 
has submitted information indicating that Daimler-Benz A.G., the 
company that manufactured the 1994 Mercedes-Benz S600, 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 1994 
Mercedes-Benz S600L to the 1994 Mercedes-Benz S600, and found the two 
models to be substantially similar with respect to compliance with most 
applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standards. The petitioner 
informed the agency that both vehicles are 4-door sedans, with the 
S600L having an extended wheel base.
    NCDL submitted information with its petition intended to 
demonstrate that the 1994 Mercedes-Benz S600L, as originally 
manufactured, conforms to many Federal motor vehicle safety standards 
in the same manner as the 1994 Mercedes-Benz S600 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 1994 Mercedes-Benz 
S600L is identical to the certified 1994 Mercedes-Benz S600 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, 125 Warning Devices, 129 New 
Non-pneumatic Tires for Passenger Cars, 135 Passenger Car Brake 
Systems, 201 Occupant Protection in Interior Impact, 202 Head 
Restraints, 204 Steering Control Rearward Displacement, 205 Glazing 
Materials, 206 Door Locks and Door Retention Components, 208 Occupant 
Crash Protection,  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 1994 Mercedes-Benz 
S600L 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 ECE 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 for kilometers to miles per hour.
    Standard No. 108 Lamps, Reflective Devices and Associated 
Equipment: (a) Installation of U.S.--model headlamp assemblies which 
incorporate sealed beam headlamps; (b) Installation of U.S.--model 
taillamp assemblies; (c) Installation of U.S.--model front and rear 
sidemarker/reflector 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: Modification of the 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. 214 Side Impact Protection: Installation of reinforced 
door beams.
    Standard No. 301 Fuel System Integrity: Installation of a rollover 
valve in the fuel tank vent line.
    Additionally, the petitioner 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, SW., 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: April 9, 1997.
Marilynne Jacobs,
Director, Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance.
[FR Doc. 97-10406 Filed 4-21-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-59-M