[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 232 (Friday, December 4, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 63820-63821]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-29013]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration


Petition for Exemption From the Vehicle Theft Prevention 
Standard; Volkswagen

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 Volkswagen Group 
of America (VW) in accordance with Sec.  543.9(c)(2) of 49 CFR Part 
543, Exemption from the Theft Prevention Standard, for the Volkswagen 
Tiguan vehicle line beginning with model year (MY) 2011. 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) 2011.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Deborah Mazyck, Office of 
International Policy, Fuel Economy and Consumer Programs, NHTSA, 1200 
New Jersey Avenue, SE., West Building, W43-443, Washington, DC 20590. 
Ms. Mazyck's phone number is (202) 366-0846. Her fax number is (202) 
493-2990.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In a petition dated August 26, 2009, VW 
requested an exemption from the parts-marking requirements of the Theft 
Prevention Standard (49 CFR Part 541) for the Volkswagen Tiguan vehicle 
line beginning with MY 2010. The petition 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 an entire vehicle line.
    Under Sec.  543.5(a), a manufacturer may petition NHTSA to grant an 
exemption for one vehicle line per model year. In its petition, VW 
provided a detailed description and diagram of the identity, design, 
and location of the components of the antitheft device for its new 
Volkswagen Tiguan vehicle line. VW will install its fourth generation, 
transponder-based electronic engine immobilizer antitheft device as 
standard equipment on its Volkswagen Tiguan vehicle line beginning with 
MY 2011. VW stated that its fourth generation immobilizer actively 
incorporates the engine control unit into the evaluation and monitoring 
processes. Key components of the antitheft device will include a 
passive immobilizer, an immobilizer control unit, a mechanical ignition 
lock with immobilizer reading coil, an adapted ignition key, and an 
engine control unit. The antitheft device will not include an audible 
or visible alarm feature as standard equipment. VW's submission is 
considered a complete petition as required by 49 CFR 543.7, in that it 
meets the general requirements contained in Sec.  543.5 and the 
specific content requirements of Sec.  543.6.
    VW stated that once the driver/operator turns on the ignition, the 
key transponder sends a fixed code to the immobilizer control unit. If 
this is identified as the correct code, a variable code is generated in 
the immobilizer control unit and sent to the transponder. A secret 
arithmetic process is then started in the transponder and the control 
unit according to a set of specific equations. The results of the 
computing process is evaluated in the control unit and if they tally, 
the vehicle key is acknowledged as correct. The engine control unit 
then sends a variable code to the immobilizer control unit, enabling 
start up of the vehicle. VW stated that a new variable code is 
generated each time during this secret computing process. Therefore, VW 
believes that the code is undecipherable.
    In addressing the specific content requirements of 543.6, VW 
provided information on the reliability and durability of its proposed 
device. To ensure reliability and durability of the device, VW 
conducted tests based on its own specified standards. VW provided a 
detailed list of the tests conducted (i.e., electrical system 
temperature stability, mechanical integrity, electrical performance, 
environmental compatibility and service life) and believes that the 
device is reliable and durable since the device complied with its 
specific requirements for each test. Additionally, VW stated that after 
recognition by the electronic module of the key transponder, a pairing 
between the key and the immobilizer occurs at which point the key can 
no longer be used for any other immobilizer.
    VW stated that the Volkswagen Tiguan was introduced in the 2009 
model year as a parts-marked vehicle, therefore no theft data is 
available. VW also provided data on the theft reduction benefits 
experienced by other vehicle lines installed with immobilizer devices 
that have recently been granted petitions for exemptions by the agency. 
VW has concluded that the antitheft device proposed for its Volkswagen 
Tiguan 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. The agency agrees that the device is 
substantially similar to devices in these and other vehicle lines for 
which the agency has already granted exemptions.
    Based on the evidence submitted by VW, the agency believes that the 
antitheft device for the Volkswagen Tiguan vehicle line is likely to be 
as effective in reducing and deterring motor vehicle theft as 
compliance with the part-marking requirements of the Theft Prevention 
Standard.
    Pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 33106 and 49 CFR 543.7(b), the agency grants 
a petition for exemption from the parts-marking requirements of part 
541 either in whole or in part, if it determines that, based upon 
substantial evidence, the standard equipment antitheft device is likely 
to be as effective in reducing and deterring motor vehicle theft as 
compliance with the parts marking requirements of part 541. The agency 
finds that VW has provided adequate reasons for its belief that the 
antitheft device for the Volkswagen Tiguan 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). This conclusion is based on the information 
VW provided about its device.
    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.
    For the foregoing reasons, the agency hereby grants in full VW's 
petition for exemption for the Volkswagen Tiguan 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 Part 
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

[[Page 63821]]

requirements of the Theft Prevention Standard.
    If VW decides not to use the exemption for this line, it must 
formally notify the agency. If such a decision is made, the line must 
be fully marked according to the requirements under 49 CFR Parts 541.5 
and 541.6 (marking of major component parts and replacement parts).
    NHTSA notes that if VW 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, Part 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 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: December 1, 2009.
Stephen R. Kratzke,
Associate Administrator for Rulemaking.
[FR Doc. E9-29013 Filed 12-3-09; 8:45 am]
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