[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