Notice of Receipt of Petition for Decision That Nonconforming 1991 Mercedes-Benz G-Class (463 Chassis) Multi-Purpose Passenger Vehicles Are Eligible for Importation, 65444-65445 [2012-26347]
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Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 208 / Friday, October 26, 2012 / Notices
element of many government human
space flight systems for the purpose of
enhancing occupant safety. We will
discuss the following questions from a
regulatory perspective:
a. Is an abort system a part of fault
tolerance?
b. Does an abort only apply to the
launch/ascent phase, or does it apply to
other flight phases as well?
c. Should certain types of orbital or
suborbital vehicle designs require a
launch abort system?
d. What should the reliability
requirements be for an abort system?
e. Is it acceptable to have a different
level of care for occupants during an
abort?
(3) Fault Tolerance, Margin, and
Reliability. To allow for industry
innovation, the commercial human
space flight industry wishes to be free
to the maximum extent possible to
choose between fault tolerance, design
margin, and reliability. We will explore
the extent of this desire from a
regulatory perspective with the
following questions:
a. What would be an acceptable
rationale at a functional level for a
choice of fault tolerance, design margin,
or high reliability to protect the safety
of spacecraft occupants?
b. What is the minimum level of fault
tolerance? Is it different for orbital vs.
suborbital?
c. When is occupant risk high enough
to necessitate additional fault tolerance?
d. What determines whether fault
tolerance is handled at the function
level or system level?
Interested members of the public may
submit relevant written statements for
the COMSTAC working group members
to consider under the advisory process.
Statements may concern the issues and
agenda items mentioned above or
additional issues that may be relevant
for the U.S. commercial space
transportation industry. Interested
parties wishing to submit written
statements should contact Paul Eckert,
DFO, (the Contact Person listed below)
in writing (mail or email) by November
6, 2012, for the November 13
teleconference, December 11, 2012, for
the December 18 teleconference, and
January 8, 2013, for the January 15
teleconference. This way the
information can be made available to
COMSTAC members for their review
and consideration before each
teleconference. Written statements
should be supplied in the following
formats: One hard copy with original
signature or one electronic copy via
email. The FAA may schedule up to 6
more teleconferences in the coming
months to allow the U.S. commercial
VerDate Mar<15>2010
15:01 Oct 25, 2012
Jkt 229001
space transportation industry to share
views with the FAA on a number of
specific topics related to commercial
human space flight safety.
An agenda will be posted on the FAA
Web site at https://www.faa.gov/go/ast
and https://www.faa.gov/about/
office_org/headquarters_offices/ast/
COMSTAC_working_group/
Individuals who plan to participate
and need special assistance should
inform the Contact Person listed below
in advance of the meeting.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Paul
Eckert (AST–5), Office of Commercial
Space Transportation (AST), 800
Independence Avenue SW., Room 331,
Washington, DC 20591, telephone (202)
267–8655; Email paul.eckert@faa.gov.
Complete information regarding
COMSTAC is available on the FAA Web
site at: https://www.faa.gov/about/
office_org/headquarters_offices/ast/
advisory_committee/.
Issued in Washington, DC, October 16,
2012.
George C. Nield,
Associate Administrator for Commercial
Space Transportation.
[FR Doc. 2012–26328 Filed 10–25–12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration
[Docket No. NHTSA–2012–0148, Notice 1]
Notice of Receipt of Petition for
Decision That Nonconforming 1991
Mercedes-Benz G-Class (463 Chassis)
Multi-Purpose Passenger Vehicles Are
Eligible for Importation
National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Receipt of petition.
AGENCY:
This document announces
receipt by the National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration (NHTSA) of a
petition for a decision that 1991
Mercedes-Benz G-class (463 chassis)
multi-purpose passenger vehicles
(MPVs) that were not originally
manufactured to comply with all
applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety
Standards (FMVSS) are eligible for
importation into the United States
because they have safety features that
comply with, or are capable of being
altered to comply with, all such
standards.
DATES: The closing date for comments
on the petition is November 26, 2012.
ADDRESSES: Comments should refer to
the docket and notice numbers above
SUMMARY:
PO 00000
Frm 00087
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
and be submitted by any of the
following methods:
• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to
https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the
online instructions for submitting
comments.
• Mail: Docket Management Facility:
U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200
New Jersey Avenue SE., West Building
Ground Floor, Room W12–140,
Washington, DC 20590–0001.
• Hand Delivery or Courier: West
Building Ground Floor, Room W12–140,
1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., between
9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET, Monday through
Friday, except Federal holidays.
• Fax: 202–493–2251.
Instructions: Comments must be
written in the English language, and be
no greater than 15 pages in length,
although there is no limit to the length
of necessary attachments to the
comments. If comments are submitted
in hard copy form, please ensure that
two copies are provided. If you wish to
receive confirmation that your
comments were received, please enclose
a stamped, self-addressed postcard with
the comments. Note that all comments
received will be posted without change
to https://www.regulations.gov, including
any personal information provided.
Please see the Privacy Act heading
below.
Privacy Act: Anyone is able to search
the electronic form of all comments
received into any of our dockets by the
name of the individual submitting the
comment (or signing the comment, if
submitted on behalf of an association,
business, labor union, etc.). You may
review DOT’s complete Privacy Act
Statement in the Federal Register
published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR
19477–78).
How To Read Comments Submitted to
the Docket: You may read the comments
received by Docket Management at the
address and times given above. You may
also view the documents from the
Internet at https://www.regulations.gov.
Follow the online instructions for
accessing the dockets. The docket ID
number and title of this notice are
shown at the heading of this document
notice. Please note that even after the
comment closing date, we will continue
to file relevant information in the
Docket as it becomes available. Further,
some people may submit late comments.
Accordingly, we recommend that you
periodically search the Docket for new
material.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
George Stevens, Office of Vehicle Safety
Compliance, NHTSA (202–366–5308).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
E:\FR\FM\26OCN1.SGM
26OCN1
Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 208 / Friday, October 26, 2012 / Notices
emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Background
Under 49 U.S.C. 30141(a)(1)(B), a
motor vehicle that was not originally
manufactured to conform to all
applicable FMVSS, and has no
substantially similar U.S.-certified
counterpart, shall be refused admission
into the United States unless NHTSA
has decided that the motor vehicle has
safety features that comply with, or are
capable of being altered to comply with,
all applicable FMVSS based on
destructive test data or such other
evidence as NHTSA decides to be
adequate.
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.
Wallace Environmental Testing
Laboratories, Inc. of Houston, Texas
(WETL) (Registered Importer 90–005)
has petitioned NHTSA to decide
whether nonconforming 1991 MercedesBenz G-class (463 chassis) MPVs are
eligible for importation into the United
States. WETL believes these vehicles are
capable of being modified to meet all
applicable FMVSS.
In its petition, WETL noted that over
a period of years, NHTSA has granted
import eligibility to a number of
Mercedes-Benz G-class (a.k.a.,
Gelaendewagen) vehicles based on the
463 chassis. These include long wheel
base (LWB) and short wheel base (SWB)
models as well as cabriolet, 3 door, and
other body versions of the vehicle
(assigned vehicle eligibility numbers
VCP–11, 15, 16, and 18). These
eligibility decisions were based on
petitions submitted by several
Registered Importers (RIs) who claimed
that the vehicles were capable of being
altered to comply with all applicable
FMVSS.
Because those vehicles were not
manufactured for importation into and
sale in the United States, and were not
certified by their original manufacturer
(Daimler Ag), as conforming to all
applicable FMVSS, they cannot be
categorized as ‘‘substantially similar’’ to
the vehicle that is the subject of the
instant petition for the purpose of
establishing import eligibility of that
VerDate Mar<15>2010
15:01 Oct 25, 2012
Jkt 229001
vehicle under 49 U.S.C. 30141(a)(1)(A).
Therefore, the agency will consider
WETL’s petition as a petition pursuant
to 49 U.S.C. 30141(a)(1)(B).
WETL submitted information with its
petition intended to demonstrate that
non-U.S. certified 1991 Mercedes-Benz
G-class (463 chassis) MPVs conform to
many FMVSS and are capable of being
altered to comply with all other
standards to which they were not
originally manufactured to conform.
Specifically, the petitioner claims that
non-U.S. certified 1991 Mercedes-Benz
G-class (463 chassis) MPVs, as originally
manufactured, conform to: Standard
Nos. 102 Transmission Shift Lever
Sequence, Starter Interlock, and
Transmission Braking Effect, 103
Windshield Defrosting and Defogging
Systems, 104 Windshield Wiping and
Washing Systems, 105 Hydraulic and
Electric Brake Systems, 106 Brake
Hoses, 113 Hood Latch System, 116
Motor Vehicle Brake Fluids, 119 New
Pneumatic Tires, 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, 212 Windshield
Mounting, 214 Side Impact Protection,
216 Roof Crush Resistance, 219
Windshield Zone Intrusion, and 302
Flammability of Interior Materials.
The petitioner also contends that the
vehicles are capable of being altered to
meet the following standards, in the
manner indicated:
Standard No. 101 Controls and
Displays: Replacement of the instrument
cluster with a U.S.-model component.
Standard No. 108 Lamps, Reflective
Devices and Associated Equipment: If
the vehicle is not already so equipped,
installation of U.S.-model: (a)
Headlamps; (b) front and rear side
marker lamps; (c) tail lamp lenses; and
(d) front turn signal lamps.
Standard No. 111 Rearview Mirrors:
Installation of a U.S.-model passenger
side rearview mirror, or inscription of
the required warning statement on the
face of that mirror.
Standard No. 114 Theft Protection:
Installation of software to reprogram the
system to comply.
Standard No. 118 Power-Operated
Window, Partition, and Roof Panel
Systems: Inspection of each vehicle and
reprogramming or rewiring of the power
operated window system.
Standard No. 120 Tire Selection and
Rims for Motor Vehicles Other Than
Passenger Cars: Installation of a tire and
rim information placard.
PO 00000
Frm 00088
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 9990
65445
Standard No. 206 Door Locks and
Door Retention Components:
Replacement of door latch system
components with U.S.-model
components.
Standard No. 208 Occupant Crash
Protection: Reprogramming the software
for the seat belt warning system to meet
the requirements of this standard.
The petitioner also stated that the
vehicles are equipped with selftensioning combination lap and
shoulder belts that release by use of a
single red push button at both front and
rear outboard seating positions. The
vehicle is equipped with a driver’s-side
airbag (passive restraint system).
Standard No. 209 Seat Belt
Assemblies: Replacement of the
passenger side seat belt with a U.S.model component on vehicles that are
not already so equipped.
Standard No. 301 Fuel System
Integrity: Modification of the fuel vapor
system to meet the EPA Onboard
Refueling Vapor Recovery (ORVR) and
the evaporative emissions requirements,
which include installing a rollover and
check valve to meet the requirements of
this standard.
In addition, the petitioner states that
a vehicle identification number plate
must be installed in the area of the left
windshield post to meet the
requirements of 49 CFR Part 565 if the
vehicle is not already so equipped.
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 addresses 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),
(a)(1)(B), and (b)(1); 49 CFR 593.7; delegation
of authority at 49 CFR 1.95 and 501.8.
Issued on: October 22, 2012.
Claude H. Harris,
Director, Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance.
[FR Doc. 2012–26347 Filed 10–25–12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–59–P
E:\FR\FM\26OCN1.SGM
26OCN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 208 (Friday, October 26, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 65444-65445]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-26347]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
[Docket No. NHTSA-2012-0148, Notice 1]
Notice of Receipt of Petition for Decision That Nonconforming
1991 Mercedes-Benz G-Class (463 Chassis) Multi-Purpose Passenger
Vehicles Are Eligible for Importation
AGENCY: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Receipt of petition.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This document announces receipt by the National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) of a petition for a decision that
1991 Mercedes-Benz G-class (463 chassis) multi-purpose passenger
vehicles (MPVs) that were not originally manufactured to comply with
all applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) are
eligible for importation into the United States because they have
safety features that comply with, or are capable of being altered to
comply with, all such standards.
DATES: The closing date for comments on the petition is November 26,
2012.
ADDRESSES: Comments should refer to the docket and notice numbers above
and be submitted by any of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for submitting
comments.
Mail: Docket Management Facility: U.S. Department of
Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., West Building Ground Floor,
Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590-0001.
Hand Delivery or Courier: West Building Ground Floor, Room
W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET,
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
Fax: 202-493-2251.
Instructions: Comments must be written in the English language, and
be no greater than 15 pages in length, although there is no limit to
the length of necessary attachments to the comments. If comments are
submitted in hard copy form, please ensure that two copies are
provided. If you wish to receive confirmation that your comments were
received, please enclose a stamped, self-addressed postcard with the
comments. Note that all comments received will be posted without change
to https://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information
provided. Please see the Privacy Act heading below.
Privacy Act: Anyone is able to search the electronic form of all
comments received into any of our dockets by the name of the individual
submitting the comment (or signing the comment, if submitted on behalf
of an association, business, labor union, etc.). You may review DOT's
complete Privacy Act Statement in the Federal Register published on
April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78).
How To Read Comments Submitted to the Docket: You may read the
comments received by Docket Management at the address and times given
above. You may also view the documents from the Internet at https://www.regulations.gov.
Follow the online instructions for accessing the dockets. The
docket ID number and title of this notice are shown at the heading of
this document notice. Please note that even after the comment closing
date, we will continue to file relevant information in the Docket as it
becomes available. Further, some people may submit late comments.
Accordingly, we recommend that you periodically search the Docket for
new material.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: George Stevens, Office of Vehicle
Safety Compliance, NHTSA (202-366-5308).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
[[Page 65445]]
Background
Under 49 U.S.C. 30141(a)(1)(B), a motor vehicle that was not
originally manufactured to conform to all applicable FMVSS, and has no
substantially similar U.S.-certified counterpart, shall be refused
admission into the United States unless NHTSA has decided that the
motor vehicle has safety features that comply with, or are capable of
being altered to comply with, all applicable FMVSS based on destructive
test data or such other evidence as NHTSA decides to be adequate.
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.
Wallace Environmental Testing Laboratories, Inc. of Houston, Texas
(WETL) (Registered Importer 90-005) has petitioned NHTSA to decide
whether nonconforming 1991 Mercedes-Benz G-class (463 chassis) MPVs are
eligible for importation into the United States. WETL believes these
vehicles are capable of being modified to meet all applicable FMVSS.
In its petition, WETL noted that over a period of years, NHTSA has
granted import eligibility to a number of Mercedes-Benz G-class
(a.k.a., Gelaendewagen) vehicles based on the 463 chassis. These
include long wheel base (LWB) and short wheel base (SWB) models as well
as cabriolet, 3 door, and other body versions of the vehicle (assigned
vehicle eligibility numbers VCP-11, 15, 16, and 18). These eligibility
decisions were based on petitions submitted by several Registered
Importers (RIs) who claimed that the vehicles were capable of being
altered to comply with all applicable FMVSS.
Because those vehicles were not manufactured for importation into
and sale in the United States, and were not certified by their original
manufacturer (Daimler Ag), as conforming to all applicable FMVSS, they
cannot be categorized as ``substantially similar'' to the vehicle that
is the subject of the instant petition for the purpose of establishing
import eligibility of that vehicle under 49 U.S.C. 30141(a)(1)(A).
Therefore, the agency will consider WETL's petition as a petition
pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 30141(a)(1)(B).
WETL submitted information with its petition intended to
demonstrate that non-U.S. certified 1991 Mercedes-Benz G-class (463
chassis) MPVs conform to many FMVSS and are capable of being altered to
comply with all other standards to which they were not originally
manufactured to conform.
Specifically, the petitioner claims that non-U.S. certified 1991
Mercedes-Benz G-class (463 chassis) MPVs, as originally manufactured,
conform to: Standard Nos. 102 Transmission Shift Lever Sequence,
Starter Interlock, and Transmission Braking Effect, 103 Windshield
Defrosting and Defogging Systems, 104 Windshield Wiping and Washing
Systems, 105 Hydraulic and Electric Brake Systems, 106 Brake Hoses, 113
Hood Latch System, 116 Motor Vehicle Brake Fluids, 119 New Pneumatic
Tires, 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, 212 Windshield Mounting,
214 Side Impact Protection, 216 Roof Crush Resistance, 219 Windshield
Zone Intrusion, and 302 Flammability of Interior Materials.
The petitioner also contends that the vehicles are capable of being
altered to meet the following standards, in the manner indicated:
Standard No. 101 Controls and Displays: Replacement of the
instrument cluster with a U.S.-model component.
Standard No. 108 Lamps, Reflective Devices and Associated
Equipment: If the vehicle is not already so equipped, installation of
U.S.-model: (a) Headlamps; (b) front and rear side marker lamps; (c)
tail lamp lenses; and (d) front turn signal lamps.
Standard No. 111 Rearview Mirrors: Installation of a U.S.-model
passenger side rearview mirror, or inscription of the required warning
statement on the face of that mirror.
Standard No. 114 Theft Protection: Installation of software to
reprogram the system to comply.
Standard No. 118 Power-Operated Window, Partition, and Roof Panel
Systems: Inspection of each vehicle and reprogramming or rewiring of
the power operated window system.
Standard No. 120 Tire Selection and Rims for Motor Vehicles Other
Than Passenger Cars: Installation of a tire and rim information
placard.
Standard No. 206 Door Locks and Door Retention Components:
Replacement of door latch system components with U.S.-model components.
Standard No. 208 Occupant Crash Protection: Reprogramming the
software for the seat belt warning system to meet the requirements of
this standard.
The petitioner also stated that the vehicles are equipped with
self-tensioning combination lap and shoulder belts that release by use
of a single red push button at both front and rear outboard seating
positions. The vehicle is equipped with a driver's-side airbag (passive
restraint system).
Standard No. 209 Seat Belt Assemblies: Replacement of the passenger
side seat belt with a U.S.-model component on vehicles that are not
already so equipped.
Standard No. 301 Fuel System Integrity: Modification of the fuel
vapor system to meet the EPA Onboard Refueling Vapor Recovery (ORVR)
and the evaporative emissions requirements, which include installing a
rollover and check valve to meet the requirements of this standard.
In addition, the petitioner states that a vehicle identification
number plate must be installed in the area of the left windshield post
to meet the requirements of 49 CFR Part 565 if the vehicle is not
already so equipped.
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 addresses 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), (a)(1)(B), and (b)(1); 49
CFR 593.7; delegation of authority at 49 CFR 1.95 and 501.8.
Issued on: October 22, 2012.
Claude H. Harris,
Director, Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance.
[FR Doc. 2012-26347 Filed 10-25-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-59-P
