Decision That Nonconforming 1992 and 1993 Mercedes-Benz 320SL Passenger Cars Are Eligible for Importation

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

[Docket No. 95-81; Notice 2]

Decision That Nonconforming 1992 and 1993 Mercedes-Benz 320SL

Passenger Cars Are Eligible for Importation

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

[[Page 3522]]

ACTION: Notice of decision by NHTSA that nonconforming 1992 and 1993

Mercedes-Benz 320SL passenger cars are eligible for importation.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces the decision by NHTSA that 1992 and 1993

Mercedes-Benz 320SL 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 vehicles originally manufactured for

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

manufacturer as complying with the safety standards (the U.S.-certified

version of the 1992 and 1993 Mercedes-Benz 320SL), and they are capable

of being readily altered to conform to the standards.

DATES: This decision is effective January 31, 1996.

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) (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

manufactures 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.

G&K Automotive Conversion, Inc. of Santa Ana, California

(Registered Importer R-90-007) petitioned NHTSA to decide whether 1992

and 1993 Mercedes-Benz 320SL passenger cars are eligible for

importation into the United States. NHTSA published notice of the

petition on October 30, 1995 (60 FR 55298) 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 for 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-142 is the vehicle eligibility number assigned to vehicles

admissible under this decision.

Final Decision

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

that 1992 and 1993 Mercedes-Benz 320SL (Model ID 129.063) passenger

cars not originally manufactured to comply with all applicable Federal

motor vehicle safety standards are substantially similar to 1992 and

1993 Mercedes-Benz 320SL passenger cars originally manufactured for

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

U.S.C. Sec. 30115, and are 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: January 25, 1996.

Marilynne Jacobs,

Director Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance.

[FR Doc. 96-1960 Filed 1-30-96; 8:45 am]

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