Decision that Nonconforming 1992 Mercedes-Benz 600SL Passenger Cars are Eligible for Importation

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

[Docket No. 95-30; Notice 2]

Decision that Nonconforming 1992 Mercedes-Benz 600SL Passenger

Cars are Eligible for Importation

AGENCY: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of decision by NHTSA that nonconforming 1992 Mercedes-

Benz 600SL passenger cars are eligible for importation.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces the decision by NHTSA that 1992

Mercedes-Benz 600SL passenger cars not originally manufactured to

comply with all applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standards are

eligible for importation into the United States because they are

substantially similar to a vehicle originally manufactured for

importation into and sale in the United States and certified by its

manufacturer as complying with the safety standards (the 1992 Mercedes-

Benz 500SL, and they are capable of being readily altered to conform to

the standards.

DATES: The decision is effective as of July 18, 1995.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

George Entwistle, Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance, NHTSA (202-366-

5306).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

Under 49 U.S.C. 30141(a)(1)(A) (formerly section 108(c)(3)(A)(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.

Northern California Diagnostics Laboratory, Inc. of Napa,

California (Registered Importer R-92-011) petitioned NHTSA to decide

whether 1992 Mercedes-Benz 600SL passenger cars are eligible for

importation into the United States. NHTSA published notice of the

petition on May 1, 1995 (60 FR 21238) to afford an opportunity for

public comment. The reader is referred to that notice for a thorough

description of the petition. No comments were received in response to

the notice. Based on its review of the information submitted by the

petitioner, NHTSA has decided to grant the petition.

Vehicle Eligibility Number of Subject Vehicles

The importer of a vehicle admissible under any final decision must

indicate on the form HS-7 accompanying entry the appropriate vehicle

eligibility number indicating that the vehicle is eligible for entry.

VSP-121 is the vehicle eligibility number assigned to vehicles

admissible under this notice of final decision.

Final Decision

Accordingly, on the basis of the foregoing, NHTSA hereby decides

that a 1992 Mercedes-Benz 600SL (Model ID 129.076) is substantially

similar to a 1992 Mercedes-Benz 500SL originally manufactured for

importation into and sale in the United States and certified under 49

U.S.C. 30115, and is capable of being readily altered to conform to all

applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standards.

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: July 13, 1995.

Marilynne Jacobs,

Director, Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance.

[FR Doc. 95-17634 Filed 7-17-95; 8:45 am]

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