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[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 80 (Wednesday, April 24, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 18188-18190]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-10061]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
[Docket No. 96-40; Notice 1]

Notice of Receipt of Petition for Decision That Nonconforming 
1994 Mercedes-Benz E500 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 E500 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 E500 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 May 24, 1996.

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).

[[Page 18189]]

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Under 49 U.S.C. 30141(a)(1)(A) (formerly section 108(c)(3)(A)(i)(I) 
of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act (the Act)), 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 (formerly section 114 of the Act), 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 E500 (Model ID 124.036) passenger cars are eligible 
for importation into the United States. The vehicle which Champagne 
believes is substantially similar is the 1994 Mercedes-Benz E500 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 E500 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 E500, 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 E500 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, 107 Reflecting Surfaces, 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, 211 Wheel Nuts, Wheel Discs and Hubcaps, 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 E500 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) inscription of the 
word ``Brake'' on the brake failure indicator lamp lens; (b) 
installation of a seat belt warning lamp; (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 which 
incorporate headlamps with a DOT marking; (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 convex 
passenger side rearview mirror.
    Standard No. 114  Theft Protection: installation of a warning 
buzzer microswitch and a warning buzzer in the steering lock assembly.
    Standard No. 115  Vehicle Identification Number: installation of a 
VIN plate that can be read from outside the left windshield pillar, and 
a VIN reference label on the edge of the door or latch post nearest the 
driver.
    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 locking 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. The petitioner states that the vehicle is equipped with an 
automatic restraint system consisting of a driver's and passenger's 
side air bag and knee bolster, and that these will be replaced with 
U.S.-model components, if necessary. The petitioner further states that 
the vehicle is equipped in each front designated seating position with 
a combination lap and shoulder restraint that adjusts by means of an 
automatic retractor and releases by means of a single push button. The 
petitioner also states that the vehicle is equipped with a combination 
lap and shoulder restraint that releases by means of a single push 
button in 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 in the doors.
    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.
    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.

[[Page 18190]]

    Issued on: April 18, 1996.
Marilynne Jacobs,
Director, Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance.
[FR Doc. 96-10061 Filed 4-23-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-59-P
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