[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 30 (Tuesday, February 14, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 7824-7825]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-2053]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration


Petition for Exemption From the Vehicle Theft Prevention 
Standard; Ford Motor Company

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

ACTION: Grant of petition for exemption.

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SUMMARY: This document grants in full the petition of Ford Motor 
Company, (Ford) in accordance with Sec.  543.9(c)(2) of 49 CFR Part 
543, Exemption from the Theft Prevention Standard, for the Focus 
vehicle line beginning with model year (MY) 2006. 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 of the Theft Prevention Standard.

DATES: The exemption granted by this notice is effective beginning with 
model year (MY) 2006.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Carlita Ballard, Office of 
International Policy, Fuel Economy and Consumer Programs, NHTSA, 400 
Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590. Ms. Ballard's telephone 
number is (202) 366-0846. Her fax number is (202) 493-2290.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In a petition dated October 7, 2005, Ford 
requested exemption from the parts-marking requirements of the theft 
prevention standard (49 CFR Part 541) for the MY 2006 Focus vehicle 
line. The petition requested 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 an entire vehicle line.
    Under Sec.  543.5(a), a manufacturer may petition NHTSA to grant 
exemptions for one line of its vehicle lines per year. In its petition, 
Ford provided a detailed description and diagram of the identity, 
design, and location of the components of the antitheft device for the 
Focus vehicle line. Ford will install its antitheft device, the 
SecuriLock Passive Anti-Theft Electronic Powertrain Immobilizer System 
(SecuriLock) as standard equipment on the Ford Focus vehicle line 
beginning with MY 2006. Features of the antitheft device will include 
an electronic key, ignition lock, and a passive immobilizer.

[[Page 7825]]

Additionally, the Ford Focus will have an optional perimeter alarm 
system which will monitor all the doors, decklid and hood of the 
vehicle. Ford's submission is considered a complete petition as 
required by 49 CFR 543.7, in that it meets the general requirements 
contained in 543.5 and the specific content requirements of Sec.  
543.6.
    The Ford SecuriLock is a transponder-based electronic immobilizer 
system. Ford stated that the integration of the transponder into the 
normal operation of the ignition key assures activation of the system. 
When the ignition key is turned to the start position, the transceiver 
module reads the ignition key code and transmits an encrypted message 
to the cluster. Validation of the key is determined and start of the 
engine is authorized once a separate encrypted message is sent to the 
powertrain's electronic control module (PCM). The powertrain will 
function only if the key code matches the unique identification key 
code previously programmed into the PCM. If the codes do not match, the 
powertrain engine starter will be disabled.
    The effectiveness of Ford's SecuriLock device was first introduced 
as standard equipment on its MY 1996 Mustang GT and Cobra. In My 1997, 
the SecuriLock system was installed on the entire Mustang vehicle line 
as standard equipment. Ford stated that the 1997 model year Mustang 
with SecuriLock shows a 70% reduction in theft compared to the MY 1995 
Mustang, according to National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) theft 
statistics. There were 149 reported theft for 1997 compared to 500 
reported thefts in 1995.
    In addressing the specific content requirements of 543.6, Ford 
provided information on the reliability and durability of its proposed 
device. To ensure reliability and durability of the device, Ford 
conducted tests based on its own specified standards. Ford also 
provided a detailed list of the tests conducted and believes that the 
device is reliable and durable since the device complied with its 
specified requirements for each test. Ford also stated that the 
SecuriLock electronic engine immobilizer device makes conventional 
theft methods such as hot-wiring or attacking the ignition lock 
cylinder ineffective and virtually eliminates drive-away thefts.
    Ford also compared the device proposed for its vehicle line with 
other devices which NHTSA has determined to be as effective in reducing 
and deterring motor vehicle theft as would compliance with the parts-
marking requirements. Ford finds that the lack of an alarm or attention 
attracting device does not compromise the theft deterrent performance 
of a system such as the SecuriLock. Ford stated that its proposed 
device is functionally equivalent to the systems used in previous 
vehicle lines which were deemed effective and granted exemptions from 
the parts-marking requirements of the theft prevention standard. 
Additionally, theft data have indicated a decline in theft rates for 
vehicle lines that have been equipped with antitheft devices similar to 
that which Ford proposes to install on the new line. 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, Ford has concluded that the 
antitheft device proposed for its Focus vehicle line is no less 
effective than those devices in the lines for which NHTSA has already 
granted full exemption from the parts-marking requirements.
    Based on the evidence submitted by Ford, the agency believes that 
the antitheft device for the Focus 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 concludes that the device will provide four of the five 
types of performance listed in Sec.  543.6(a)(3): promoting activation; 
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.
    Pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 33106 and 49 CFR 543.6 (a)(4) and (5), the 
agency finds that Ford has provided adequate reasons for its belief 
that the antitheft device will reduce and deter theft. This conclusion 
is based on the information Ford provided about its device.
    For the foregoing reasons, the agency hereby grants in full Ford's 
petition for exemption for the Focus vehicle line from the parts-
marking requirements of 49 CFR Part 541. The agency notes that 49 CFR 
Part 541, Appendix A-1, identifies those lines that are exempted from 
the Theft Prevention Standard for a given model year. 49 CFR 543.7(f) 
contains publication requirements incident to the disposition of all 
Part 543 petitions. Advanced listing, including the release of future 
product nameplates, the beginning model year for which the petition is 
granted and a general description of the antitheft device is necessary 
in order to notify law enforcement agencies of new vehicle lines 
exempted from the parts-marking requirements of the Theft Prevention 
Standard.
    If Ford decides not to use the exemption for 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 Ford 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 anti-theft 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 that Part 
543.9(c)(2) could place on exempted vehicle manufacturers and itself. 
The agency did not intend 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: February 8, 2006.
Stephen R. Kratzke,
Associate Administrator for Rulemaking.
[FR Doc. E6-2053 Filed 2-13-06; 8:45 am]
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