[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 96 (Tuesday, May 19, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 27619-27620]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-13252]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration


Petition for Exemption From the Vehicle Theft Prevention 
Standard; Nissan

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 Nissan North 
America, Inc., (Nissan) 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 line as standard equipment is likely to be as 
effective in reducing and deterring motor vehicle theft as compliance 
with the parts-marking requirements.

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

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Rosalind Proctor, Office of 
Planning and Consumer Programs, NHTSA, 400 Seventh Street, SW., 
Washington, DC 20590. Ms. Proctor's telephone number is (202) 366-0846. 
Her fax number is (202) 493-2739.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In a letter dated November 26, 1997, Nissan 
North America, Inc., (Nissan) requested 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 letter requested an exemption from 
parts-marking 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.
    Nissan's submittal is considered a complete petition, as required 
by 49 CFR 543.7, in that it met the general requirements contained in 
Sec. 543.5 and the specific content requirements of Sec. 543.6. Nissan 
requested confidential treatment for the information submitted in 
support of its petition. In a letter to Nissan dated January 13, 1998, 
the agency granted the petitioner's request for confidential treatment 
of most aspects of its petition.
    In its petition, Nissan provided a detailed description and diagram 
of the identity, design, and location of the components of the 
antitheft device for the new line. This antitheft device includes an 
engine-immoblizer system. The antitheft device is activated by turning 
the ignition switch to the ``OFF'' position using the proper ignition 
key.
    In order to ensure the reliability and durability of the device, 
Nissan conducted tests based on its own specified standards. Nissan 
provided a detailed list of the tests conducted. Nissan stated its 
belief that the device is reliable and durable since the device 
complied with Nissan's specified requirements for each test.
    Nissan compared the device proposed for its vehicle 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. Nissan's proposed device, as well as other 
comparable devices that have received full exemptions from the parts-
marking requirements, lack an audible or visible alarm. Therefore, 
these devices cannot perform one of the functions listed in 49 CFR 
542.6(a)(3), that is, to call attention to unauthorized attempts to 
enter or move the vehicle. However, theft data have indicated a decline 
in theft rates for vehicle lines that have been equipped with antitheft 
devices similar to that which Nissan proposes. In these instances, the 
agency has concluded that the lack of a visual or audio alarm has not 
prevented these antitheft devices from being effective protection 
against theft.
    On the basis of this comparison, Nissan has concluded that the 
antitheft device proposed for its vehicle line is no less effective 
than those devices in the lines for which NHTSA has already granted 
full exemptions from the parts-marking requirements.
    Based on the evidence submitted by Nissan, the agency believes that 
the antitheft device for the Nissan 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 four of the five 
types of performance listed in 49 CFR 543.6(a)(3): promoting 
activation; preventing defeat or circumvention of the device by 
unauthorized persons; preventing operation of the vehicle by

[[Page 27620]]

unauthorized entrants; and ensuring the reliability and durability of 
the device.
    As required by 49 U.S.C. 33106 and 49 CFR 543.6(a)(4) and (5), the 
agency finds that Nissan has provided adequate reasons for its belief 
that the antitheft device will reduce and deter theft. This conclusion 
is based on the information Nissan provided about its antitheft device, 
much of which is confidential. This confidential information included a 
description of reliability and functional tests conducted by Nissan for 
the antitheft device and its components.
    For the foregoing reasons, the agency hereby grants in full 
Nissan's petition for exemption for the vehicle line from the parts-
marking requirements of 49 CFR part 541. The agency notes that 49 CFR 
part 541, appendix A-I identifies those lines that are exempted from 
the theft prevention standard for a given model year. Advance listing, 
including the release of future product nameplates, is necessary in 
order to notify law enforcement agencies of new models exempted from 
the parts-marking requirements of the Theft Prevention Standard. 
Therefore, since Nissan has been granted confidential treatment for the 
nameplate of its vehicle, the confidential status of the nameplate will 
be protected until, but no later than, June 1, prior to the model year 
of its introduction into the marketplace. At that time, Appendix A-I 
will be revised to reflect the nameplate of Nissan's exempted vehicle 
line.
    If Nissan decides not to use the exemption or this line, it must 
formally notify the agency, and, thereafter, the line must be fully 
marked as required by 49 CFR 541.5 and 541.6 (marking of major 
component parts and replacement parts).
    NHTSA notes that if Nissan 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. Section 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 anthitheft 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 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 12, 1998.
L. Robert Shelton,
Associate Administrator for Safety Performance Standards.
[FR Doc. 98-13252 Filed 5-18-98; 8:45 am]
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