[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 170 (Wednesday, September 2, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 46825-46827]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-23608]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
[Docket No. NHTSA-98-4381]


Notice of Receipt of Petition for Decision That Nonconforming 
1993-1998 Mercedes-Benz 600 SEL Passenger Cars Are Eligible for 
Importation

AGENCY: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of receipt of petition for decision that nonconforming 
1993-1998 Mercedes-Benz 600 SEL 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 1993-
1998 Mercedes-Benz 600 SEL passenger cars that were not originally 
manufactured to comply with all applicable Federal motor vehicle safety 
standards are eligible for

[[Page 46826]]

importation into the United States because (1) they are substantially 
similar to vehicles that were originally manufactured for importation 
into and sale in the United States and that were certified by their 
manufacturer as complying with the safety standards, and (2) they are 
capable of being readily altered to conform to the standards.

DATES: The closing date for comments on the petition is October 2, 
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 492. 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 of Lansdale, Pennsylvania (``Champagne'') 
(Registered Importer 90-009) has petitioned NHTSA to decide whether 
1993-1998 Mercedes-Benz 600 SEL passenger cars are eligible for 
importation into the United States. The vehicles which Champagne 
believes are substantially similar are 1993-1998 Mercedes-Benz 600 SEL 
passenger cars that were manufactured for importation into, and sale 
in, the United States and certified by their manufacturer, Daimler 
Benz, A.G., as conforming to all applicable Federal motor vehicles 
safety standards.
    The petitioner claims that it carefully compared non-U.S. certified 
1993-1998 Mercedes-Benz 600 SEL passenger cars to their U.S. certified 
counterparts, and found the 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 non-U.S. certified 1993-1998 Mercedes-Benz 600 SEL 
passenger cars, as originally manufactured, conform to many Federal 
motor vehicle safety standards in the same manner as their U.S. 
certified counterparts, or are capable of being readily altered to 
conform to those standards.
    Specifically, the petitioner claims that non-U.S. certified 1993-
1998 Mercedes-Benz 600 SEL passenger cars are identical to their U.S. 
certified counterparts with respect to compliance with Standard 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, 291 
Windshield Zone Intrusion, and 302 Flammability of Interior Materials.
    Additionally, the petitioner states that non-U.S. certified 1993-
1998 Mercedes-Benz 600 SEL passenger cars comply with the Bumper 
Standard found in 49 CFR Part 581 and with the Theft Prevention 
Standard found in 49 CFR Part 541.
    Petitioner also contends that the vehicles are 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 that 
incorporate headlamps with DOT markings; (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 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 vehicles are not 
already so equipped. The petitioner states that the vehicles are 
equipped with combination lap and 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 
at 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 vehicles 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.,

[[Page 46827]]

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 493.8; 
delegations of authority at 49 CFR 1.50 and 501.8.

    Issued on: August 27, 1998.
Marilynne Jacobs,
Dirctor, Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance.
[FR Doc. 98-23608 Filed 9-1-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-59-P