[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 187 (Wednesday, September 27, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 49969-49970]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-23989]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration


Petition for Exemption From the Federal Motor Vehicle Theft 
Prevention Standard; Honda

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

ACTION: Grant of petition for exemption.

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SUMMARY: This notice grants in full the petition of American Honda 
Motor Co., Inc., on behalf of Honda Motor Company, Ltd., (Honda) for an 
exemption of a high-theft line (whose nameplate is confidential) from 
the parts-marking requirements of the Federal motor vehicle theft 
prevention standard. This petition is granted because the agency has 
determined that the antitheft device to be placed on the 

[[Page 49970]]
line as standard equipment is likely to be as effective in reducing and 
deterring motor vehicle theft as compliance with the parts-marking 
requirements of the Theft Prevention Standard.

DATES: The exemption granted by this notice is effective beginning with 
the (confidential) model year.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms Barbara Gray, Office of Market 
Incentives, NHTSA, 400 Seventh St., S.W., Washington, DC. 20590. Ms 
Gray's telephone number is (202) 366-1740. Her fax number is (202) 493-
2739.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In a petition dated June 16, 1995, American 
Honda Motor Co., Inc., requested on behalf of Honda Motor Co., Ltd., an 
exemption from the parts-marking requirements of the Theft Prevention 
Standard for a motor vehicle line. The nameplate of the line and the 
model year of introduction are confidential. The submittal requested an 
exemption from the parts-marking requirements pursuant to 49 CFR part 
543, Exemption from Vehicle Theft Prevention Standard, based on the 
installation of an antitheft device as standard equipment for the 
entire line. In an August 9, 1995, telephone conversation with NHTSA 
officials, Honda clarified the scope of its petition.
     Honda's June 16 letter and information provided in the August 9 
telephone conversation, together constitute a complete petition, as 
required by 49 CFR part 543.7, in that it met the general requirements 
contained in Sec. 543.5 and the specific content requirements of 
Sec. 543.6. In a letter dated July 11, 1995, to Honda, the agency 
granted the petitioner's request for confidential treatment of most 
aspects of its petition, including the nameplate of the line and the 
model year of its introduction.
    In its petition, Honda provided a detailed description and diagrams 
of the identity, design, and location of the components of the 
antitheft device for the new line. This antitheft device includes an 
engine starter-interrupt function and an alarm function. The antitheft 
device is activated by removing the ignition key and locking the doors 
with it. The alarm monitors the doors, hood, battery terminals and 
circuitry, and engine starter circuit.
    In order to ensure the reliability and durability of the device, 
Honda stated that it conducted tests, based on its own specified 
standards. Honda provided a detailed list of the tests conducted. Honda 
stated its belief that the device is reliable and durable since the 
device complied with Honda's specified requirements for each test.
    Honda compared the device proposed for its new line with devices 
which NHTSA has determined to be as effective in reducing and deterring 
motor vehicle theft as would compliance with the parts-marking 
requirements.
    Honda has concluded that the antitheft device proposed for its new 
line is no less effective than those devices in the lines for which 
NHTSA has already granted exemptions from the parts-marking 
requirements. Honda bases its belief on reduced theft rates of the Saab 
900 and Lexus SC car lines. Both lines had experienced theft rates 
below the median theft rate (3.5826) set for Model Years (MY) 1990/
1991. Additionally, Honda stated that the Honda Acura NSX has been 
equipped with an antitheft device since MY 1991. The theft rate of the 
NSX continues to be below the median theft rate (3.5826). Since the 
vehicle line that is the subject of this petition will be equipped with 
a similar system as the NSX, Honda expects that the antitheft device on 
the vehicle line for which it now seeks an exemption will also be as 
effective in reducing and deterring theft.
    Based on the evidence submitted by Honda, the agency believes that 
the antitheft device for the new Honda line is likely to be as 
effective in reducing and deterring motor vehicle theft as compliance 
with the parts-marking requirements of the Theft Prevention Standards 
(49 CFR part 541).
    The agency believes that the device will provide the types of 
performance listed in 49 CFR 543.6(a)(3): Promoting activation, 
attracting attention to unauthorized entries, preventing defeat or 
circumvention of the device by unauthorized persons, preventing 
operation of the vehicle by unauthorized entrants, and ensuring the 
reliability and durability of the device.
    As required by 49 U.S.C. 331006 and 49 CFR 543.6(a) (4) and (5), 
the agency finds that Honda has provided adequate reasons for its 
belief that the antitheft device will reduce and deter theft. This 
conclusion is based on the information Honda provided about its device, 
much of which is confidential. This confidential information included a 
description of reliability and functional tests conducted by Honda for 
the antitheft device and its components.
    For the foregoing reasons, the agency hereby grants in full Honda's 
petition for exemption for the line from the parts-marking requirements 
of 49 CFR part 541.
    If Honda decides not to use the exemption for this line, it should 
formally notify the agency. If such a decision is made, the line must 
be fully marked according to the requirements under 49 CFR 541.5 and 
541.6 (marking of major component parts and replacement parts).
    NHTSA notes that if Honda wishes in the future to modify the device 
on which this exemption is based, the company may have to submit a 
petition to modify the exemption. Part 543.7(d) states that a part 543 
exemption applies only to vehicles that belong to a line exempted under 
this part and equipped with the antitheft device on which the line's 
exemption is based. Further, Sec. 543.9(c)(2) provides for the 
submission of petitions ``to modify an exemption to permit the use of 
an antitheft device similar to but differing from the one specified in 
that exemption.'' The agency wishes to minimize the administrative 
burden which Sec. 543.9(c)(2) could place on exempted vehicle 
manufacturers and itself.
    The agency did not intend in drafting part 543 to require the 
submission of a modification petition for every change to the 
components or design of an antitheft device. The significance of many 
such changes could be de minimis. Therefore, NHTSA suggests that if the 
manufacturer contemplates making any changes the effects of which might 
be characterized as de minimis, it should consult with the agency 
before preparing and submitting a petition to modify.

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 33106; delegation of authority at 49 CFR 
1.50.

    Issued on: September 22, 1995.
Barry Felrice,
Associate Administrator for Safety Performance Standards.
[FR Doc. 95-23989 Filed 9-26-95; 8:45 am]
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