[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 73 (Tuesday, April 16, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 18680-18681]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-9113]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

[Docket No. NHTSA-2002-12046]


Notice of Receipt of Petition for Decision That Nonconforming 
2000-2001 Mercedes Benz SLK Passenger Cars Are Eligible for Importation

AGENCY: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of receipt of petition for decision that nonconforming 
2000-2001 Mercedes Benz SLK passenger cars are eligible for 
importation.

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SUMMARY: This document announces receipt by the National Highway 
Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) of a petition for a decision that 
2000-2001 Mercedes Benz SLK passenger cars that were not originally 
manufactured to comply with all applicable Federal motor vehicle safety 
standards are eligible for 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 May 16, 2002.

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 9 a.m. to 
5 p.m.].

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.
    J.K. Technologies, L.L.C. of Baltimore, Maryland (``J.K.'') 
(Registered Importer 90-006) has petitioned NHTSA to decide whether 
2000-2001 Mercedes Benz SLK passenger cars are eligible for

[[Page 18681]]

importation into the United States. The vehicles which J.K. believes 
are substantially similar are 2000-2001 Mercedes Benz SLK passenger 
cars that were manufactured for importation into, and sale in, the 
United States and certified by their manufacturer as conforming to all 
applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standards.
    The petitioner claims that it carefully compared non-U.S. certified 
2000-2001 Mercedes Benz SLK 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.
    J.K. submitted information with its petition intended to 
demonstrate that non-U.S. certified 2000-2001 Mercedes Benz SLK 
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 2000-
2001 Mercedes Benz SLK 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, 
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, 207 Seating Systems, 209 Seat Belt Assemblies, 210 Seat 
Belt Assembly Anchorages, 212 Windshield Retention, 214 Side Impact 
Protection, 216 Roof Crush Resistance, 219 Windshield Zone Intrusion, 
225 Child Restraint Anchorage Systems, 301 Fuel System Integrity, and 
302 Flammability of Interior Materials.
    In addition, the petitioner claims that the vehicles comply with 
the Bumper Standard found in 49 CFR part 581.
    The 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: replacement of the 
instrument cluster and the cruise control lever, when necessary, with 
U.S.-model components.
    Standard No. 108 Lamps, Reflective Devices and Associated 
Equipment: (a) installation of U.S.-model headlamps and front 
sidemarker lamps, and (b) installation of U.S.-model taillamp 
assemblies that incorporate rear sidemarker lamps.
    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, or inscription of the 
required warning statement on that mirror.
    Standard No. 114 Theft Protection: reprogramming to activate the 
theft prevention warning system.
    Standard No. 118 Power Window Systems: reprogramming to meet the 
standard.
    Standard No. 208 Occupant Crash Protection:
    (a) reprogramming of the seat belt warning system so that it 
actuates in the proper manner; (b) inspection of all vehicles and 
replacement of the driver's and passenger's side air bags, knee 
bolsters, control units, sensors, and seat belts with U.S.-model 
components on vehicles that are not already so equipped. Petitioner 
states that the front and rear outboard designated seating positions 
have combination lap and shoulder belts that are self-tensioning and 
that release by means of a single red pushbutton. Petitioner further 
states that the vehicles are equipped with a seat belt warning lamp 
that is identical to the lamp installed on U.S.-certified models.
    The petitioner states that a vehicle identification plate must be 
affixed to the vehicles near the left windshield post and a reference 
and certification label must be affixed in the area of the left front 
door post to meet the requirements of 49 CFR part 565.
    The petitioner also states that all vehicles must be inspected for 
compliance with the Theft Prevention Standard in 49 CFR part 541, and 
that required markings must be added to vehicles that are not already 
marked in compliance with that standard.
    Interested persons are invited to submit comments on the petition 
described above. Comments should refer to the docket number and be 
submitted to: Docket Management, Room PL-401, 400 Seventh St., SW., 
Washington, DC 20590. [Docket hours are from 9 am to 5 pm]. 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 10, 2002.
Marilynne Jacobs,
Director, Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance.
[FR Doc. 02-9113 Filed 4-15-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-59-P