[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 55 (Monday, March 23, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13910-13911]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-7455]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
[Docket No. NHTSA-98-3628]


Notice of Receipt of Petition for Decision That Nonconforming 
1994 Mercedes-Benz C220 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 C220 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 C220 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 April 22, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Comments should refer to the docket number and notice 
number, and be submitted to: Docket Management, Room PL-401, 400 
Seventh St., SW, Washington, DC 20590. [Docket hours are from 10 am to 
5 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 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.
    Bayway Auto of Newark, New Jersey (``Bayway'') (Registered Importer 
98-166) has petitioned NHTSA to decide whether 1994 Mercedes-Benz C220 
passenger cars are eligible for importation into the United States. The 
vehicle which Bayway believes is substantially similar is the 1994 
Mercedes-Benz C220 that was manufactured for importation into, and sale 
in, the United States and certified by its manufacturer 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 C220 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.
    Bayway submitted information with its petition intended to 
demonstrate that the non-U.S. certified 1994 Mercedes-Benz C220, 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 C220 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 C220 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 sealed beam headlamp 
assemblies; (b) installation of U.S.-model front and rear sidemarker/
reflector assemblies; (c) installation of U.S.-model taillamp 
assemblies.
    Standard No. 110 Tire Selection and Rims: installation of a tire 
information placard.
    Standard No. 111 Rearview Mirror: replacement of the convex 
passenger side rearview mirror with a U.S.-model component.
    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 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 the vehicle is not so 
equipped. The petitioner states that the vehicle is equipped with 
combination lap and

[[Page 13911]]

shoulder restraints that adjust by means of an automatic retractor and 
release by means of a single push button at both front designated 
seating positions, with combination lap and shoulder restraints that 
release by means of a single push button at both rear outboard 
designated seating positions, 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.
    The petitioner also states that a vehicle identification number 
plate must be affixed to the vehicle to meet the requirements of 49 CFR 
part 565.
    Additionally, the petitioner states that an alarm system identical 
to that found on U.S.-certified models will be installed on each 1994 
Mercedes-Benz C220 prior to importation so that the vehicle meets the 
Theft Prevention Standard found at 49 CFR part 541.
    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: March 18, 1998.
Marilynne Jacobs,
Director, Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance.
[FR Doc. 98-7455 Filed 3-20-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-59-P