[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 96 (Thursday, May 16, 1996)] [Notices] [Pages 24852-24854] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 96-12342] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Petition for Exemption From the Federal Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention Standard; Isuzu AGENCY: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Department of Transportation (DOT). ACTION: Grant of petition for exemption. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: This notice grants in full the petition of Isuzu Motors America, Inc., (Isuzu) for an exemption of a high-theft line, the Honda Acura SLX, 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 placed on the 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 model year (MY) 1997. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Rosalind Proctor, Office of Planning and Consumer Programs, NHTSA, 400 Seventh Street, S.W., Washington, DC 20590. Ms. Proctor's telephone number is (202) 366-1740. Her fax number is (202) 493-2739. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In a letter dated February 12, 1996, Isuzu Motors America, Inc., (Isuzu), on behalf of Isuzu Motors Limited, Tokyo, Japan requested exemption from the parts-marking requirements of the Theft Prevention Standard (49 CFR Part 541) for the Isuzu Trooper and Honda Acura SLX vehicle [[Page 24853]] lines. The petition is 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. Review of Isuzu's petition disclosed that certain information was not provided in its original petition. Consequently, by letter dated March 7, 1996, Isuzu was informed of its areas of deficiency. Additionally, the March 7 letter informed Isuzu that it must decide which of the two lines it would request to petition for exemption from the parts-marking requirements for the 1997 model year. Section 543.5(a) specifically states that ``for each of model years 1997 through 2000, a manufacturer may petition NHTSA to grant an exemption for one additional line of its passenger motor vehicles from the requirements of Part 541 of this chapter.'' By letter dated March 27, 1996, Isuzu chose to request exemption from the parts-marking requirements of the theft prevention standard for the Honda Acura SLX vehicle line. Isuzu's February 12 letter and supplemental letter of March 27, 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 its petition, Isuzu provided a detailed description and diagram of the identity, design, and location of the components of the antitheft device for the new line. Isuzu will install its antitheft device as standard equipment on the MY 1997 Honda Acura SLX vehicle line. This antitheft device includes an audible alarm system, a visual alarm, a starter-disconnecting device, and a locking device for the doors, tailgate and hood. Isuzu stated that the proposed antitheft device is automatically activated by the normal locking of the vehicle doors. In order to arm the device, the key must be removed from the ignition switch, all of the doors and engine hood must be closed and the driver's or front passenger's door must be locked with the ignition key. Locking either the driver's door or passenger door simultaneously locks all other doors. An indicator light within the vehicle informs the vehicle operator whether the device is armed, disarmed or alarmed. Once armed, switches in the vehicle's doors, key cylinders and hood monitor the vehicle for unauthorized entry. Isuzu stated that all system components have been placed in inaccessible locations. If the device is armed and unauthorized entry is attempted by opening any of the doors or tailgate, or any attempt is made to gain access to the hood compartment, the antitheft device will be triggered. Isuzu stated that triggering the antitheft device will cause the headlights to flash and the alarm to sound. Once the alarm has been activated, the starter circuit is interrupted and the alarm horn will continue to sound for approximately three minutes. The alarm horn will shut off automatically, while the starter circuit will remain interrupted until the device is properly deactivated. The antitheft device is deactivated by unlocking either the driver's or front passenger's door with the ignition key. Using the correct ignition key to start the vehicle will terminate the starter- interrupt mechanism and allow operation of the vehicle. In order to ensure the reliability and durability of the device, Isuzu stated that it conducted tests based on its own specific standards. Isuzu provided a detailed list of the tests it conducted. Isuzu stated its belief that the device is reliable and durable since the device complied with Isuzu's specified requirements for each test. Isuzu compared the antitheft device proposed for the Acura SLX with devices which NHTSA has determined to be as effective in reducing and deterring motor vehicle theft as would compliance with the partsmarking requirements. Isuzu has concluded that the antitheft device proposed for the Acura SLX line is no less effective than those antitheft devices in the lines for which NHTSA has already granted exemptions from the parts-marking requirements. Isuzu stated that the proposed device is similar to the device installed on its MYs 1987 through 1989 Impulse car line. The agency granted Isuzu a full exemption from the parts-marking requirements of the theft prevention standard for the Impulse car line on July 9, 1986 (51 FR 24778). Since the Isuzu Impulse car line is equipped with a similar system to that proposed for installation on the Acura SLX line, Isuzu believes that the proposed device will also be as effective in reducing and deterring theft. Isuzu stated that the antitheft device has been used as optional equipment on the Isuzu Trooper since MY 1992. According to Isuzu, the Trooper vehicle line was fully restyled and redesigned in MY 1992. Isuzu stated that 1990/1991 theft rate for the Trooper was 3.9889, and dropped to 1.4121 in MY 1992, which it believes suggests lower theft rates for later model years. Additionally, Isuzu stated that its antitheft device is similar in operation to those installed on the Mazda RX-7 and Toyota Supra car lines. Isuzu also contends that theft data have shown a decrease in theft rates for other manufacturers' car lines when antitheft devices have been installed as standard equipment. In support of its contention, Isuzu stated that the theft rate for the Mazda RX-7 dropped from 12.11 (thefts per thousand vehicles produced) in MY 1984 to a theft rate of 6.09 in MY 1989. Theft rates for the Toyota Supra dropped from 16.3 in 1983 to 5.6 in 1987. Theft rates for the Audi 5000 fell from 2.51 in 1985 to 1.26 in 1988. Based on evidence submitted by Isuzu, the agency believes that the antitheft device for the Honda Acura SLX vehicle 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 Standard (49 CFR Part 541). The agency believes that the device will provide the types of performance listed in 49 CFR Part 543.6(a)(3): Promoting activation, attracting attention to the efforts of an unauthorized person to enter or move the vehicle by means other than a key, 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. 33106 and 49 CFR Part 543.6(a) (4) and (5), the agency finds that Isuzu has provided adequate reasons for its belief that the antitheft device will reduce and deter theft. This conclusion is based on the information Isuzu provided about its antitheft device. For the foregoing reasons, the agency hereby grants in full Isuzu's petition for exemption for the Honda Acura SLX vehicle line from the parts-marking requirements of 49 CFR Part 541. If Isuzu decides not to use the exemption for this line, it must formally notify the agency, and, thereafter, mark the line according to the requirements of 49 CFR Parts 541.5 and 541.6 (marking of major component parts and replacement parts). NHTSA notes that if Isuzu wishes to modify the device on which the 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 [[Page 24854]] agency wishes to minimize the administrative burden with 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 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: May 13, 1996. Barry Felrice, Associate Administrator for Safety Performance Standards. [FR Doc. 96-12342 Filed 5-15-96; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-59-P