12792 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 45 / Tuesday, March 8, 2011 / Notices 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

National Highway Traffic Safety 

Administration 

Petition for Exemption From the 

Federal Motor Vehicle Motor Theft 

Prevention Standard; General Motors 

Corporation 

AGENCY: National Highway Traffic 

Safety Administration, Department of 

Transportation (DOT). 

ACTION: Grant of petition for exemption. 

SUMMARY: This document grants in full 

the petition of General Motors 

Corporation’s (GM) petition for an 

exemption of the Chevrolet Sonic 

vehicle line in accordance with 49 CFR 

part 543, Exemption from the 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 partsmarking requirements of the Theft 

Prevention Standard (49 CFR part 541). 

DATES: The exemption granted by this 

notice is effective beginning with model 

year (MY) 2012. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. 

Deborah Mazyck, Office of International 

Policy, Fuel Economy, and Consumer 

Standards, NHTSA, W43–443, 1200 

New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, 

DC 20590. Ms. Mazyck’s phone number 

is (202) 366–4139. Her fax number is 

(202) 493–2990. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In a 

petition dated December 9, 2010, GM 

requested an exemption from the partsmarking requirements of the theft 

prevention standard (49 CFR part 541) 

for the Chevrolet Sonic vehicle line 

beginning with MY 2012. The petition 

requested an exemption from partsmarking pursuant to 49 CFR 543, 

Exemption from Vehicle Theft 

Prevention Standard, based on the 

installation of an antitheft device as 

standard equipment for the entire 

vehicle line. 

Under § 543.5(a), a manufacturer may 

petition NHTSA to grant an exemption 

for one vehicle line per model year. In 

its petition, GM provided a detailed 

description and diagram of the identity, 

design, and location of the components 

of the antitheft device for the Chevrolet 

Sonic vehicle line. GM will install a 

passive, transponder-based, electronic 

immobilizer device (PASS-Key III+) as 

standard equipment on its Chevrolet 

Sonic vehicle line beginning with MY 

2012. GM stated that the device will 

provide protection against unauthorized 

use (i.e., starting and engine fueling), 

but will not provide any visible or 

audible indication of unauthorized 

vehicle entry (i.e., flashing lights or 

horn alarm). 

The PASS-Key III+ device is designed 

to be active at all times without direct 

intervention by the vehicle operator. 

The system is fully armed immediately 

after the ignition has been turned off 

and the key removed. Components of 

the antitheft device include an 

electronically-coded ignition key, an 

antenna module, a controller module 

and an engine control module. The 

ignition key contains electronics 

molded into the key head, providing 

billions of possible electronic 

combinations. The electronics receive 

energy and data from the controller 

module. Upon receipt of the data, the 

key will calculate a response to the data 

using secret information and an internal 

encryption algorithm, and transmit the 

response back to the vehicle. The 

controller module translates the radio 

frequency signal received from the key 

into a digital signal and compares the 

received response to an internally 

calculated value. If the values match, 

the key is recognized as valid and one 

of 65,534 ‘‘Vehicle Security Passwords’’ 

is transmitted to the engine control 

module to enable fueling and starting of 

the vehicle. If an invalid key code is 

received, the PASS-Key III+ controller 

module will send a ‘‘Disable Password’’ 

to the engine control module and 

starting, ignition, and fuel will be 

inhibited. 

In addressing the specific content 

requirements of 543.6, GM provided 

information on the reliability and 

durability of its proposed device. To 

ensure reliability and durability of the 

device, GM conducted tests based on its 

own specified standards. GM stated that 

the design and assembly processes of 

the system and components are 

validated for a vehicle life of 10 years 

and 150,000 miles of performance. GM 

also provided a detailed list of the tests 

conducted used to validate integrity, 

durability and reliability, and after each 

test, the components must operate as 

designed. 

GM stated that the PASS-Key III+ 

system has been designed to enhance 

the functionality and theft protection 

provided by GM’s first, second and third 

generation PASS-Key, PASS-key II, and 

PASS-Key III systems. GM also stated 

that there is data provided by the 

American Automobile Manufacturers 

Association to Docket 97–042; Notice 1, 

that these systems will be effective in 

reducing and deterring motor vehicle 

theft. 

GM indicated that the theft rates, as 

reported by the Federal Bureau of 

Investigation’s National Crime 

Information Center (NCIC), are lower for 

exempted GM models equipped with 

the electronically coded systems which 

have exemptions from the parts-marking 

requirements of 49 CFR part 541, than 

the theft rates for earlier models with 

similar appearance and construction 

which were parts-marked. Based on the 

performance of the PASS-Key, PASSKey II, and PASS-Key III systems on 

other GM models, and the advanced 

technology utilized in PASS-Key III+ 

and the Keyless Access System, GM 

believes that these systems will be more 

effective in deterring theft than the 

parts-marking requirements of 49 CFR 

part 541. GM believes that the agency 

should find that inclusion of the PASSKey III+ system on all vehicles in the 

Chevrolet Sonic line is sufficient to 

qualify this vehicle line for full 

exemption from the parts-marking 

requirements. 

GM compared the device proposed for 

its Chevrolet Sonic 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. 

Specifically, the agency notes that in a 

previous petition, GM stated that the 

PASS-Key III+ antitheft device was also 

installed in the MY 2003 and 2004 

Cadillac CTS vehicle line. The Cadillac 

CTS introduced as a MY 2003 vehicle 

line has been equipped with the PASSKey III+ device since the start of 

production. GM stated that the theft rate 

experienced by the CTS line with 

installation of the PASS-Key III+ device 

demonstrates the effectiveness of the 

device. The theft rates for the 2003 and 

2004 Cadillac CTS exhibit theft rates 

that are lower than the median theft rate 

(3.5826) established by the agency. The 

average theft rate using three model 

years data for the Cadillac CTS is 

0.1906. Additionally, GM stated that the 

Chevrolet Equinox which has already 

been granted a parts-marking exemption 

by the agency is equipped with the 

PASS-Key III+ device. The average theft 

rate for the Chevrolet Equinox using 

three model years data is 1.1202. The 

agency agrees that the device is 

substantially similar to devices for 

which the agency has previously 

approved exemptions. 

Based on the evidence submitted by 

GM, the agency believes that the 

antitheft device for the Chevrolet Sonic 

vehicle line is likely to be as effective 

in reducing and deterring motor vehicle 

theft as compliance with the partsVerDate Mar<15>2010 19:12 Mar 07, 2011 Jkt 223001 PO 00000 Frm 00102 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\08MRN1.SGM 08MRN1

srobinson on DSKHWCL6B1PROD with NOTICES
Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 45 / Tuesday, March 8, 2011 / Notices 12793 

marking requirements of the Theft 

Prevention Standard (49 CFR 541). 

GM’s proposed device lacks an 

audible or visible alarm. Therefore, this 

device cannot perform one of the 

functions listed in 49 CFR part 

543.6(a)(3), that is, to call attention to 

unauthorized attempts to enter or move 

the vehicle. Based on comparison of the 

reduction in the theft rates of Chevrolet 

Corvettes using a passive theft deterrent 

system along with an audible/visible 

alarm system to the reduction in theft 

rates for the Chevrolet Camaro and the 

Pontiac Firebird models equipped with 

a passive theft deterrent system without 

an alarm, GM finds that the lack of an 

alarm or attention attracting device does 

not compromise the theft deterrent 

performance of a system such as PASSKey III+ system. Theft data have 

indicated a decline in theft rates for 

vehicle lines equipped with comparable 

devices that have received full 

exemptions from the parts-marking 

requirements. In these instances, the 

agency has concluded that the lack of a 

audible or visible alarm has not 

prevented these antitheft devices from 

being effective protection against theft. 

Pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 33106 and 49 

CFR 543.7(b), the agency grants a 

petition for exemption from the partsmarking 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 GM has provided adequate 

reasons for its belief that the antitheft 

device for the Chevrolet Sonic vehicle 

line is likely to be as effective in 

reducing and deterring motor vehicle 

theft as compliance with the partsmarking requirements of the Theft 

Prevention Standard (49 CFR part 541). 

This conclusion is based on the 

information GM provided about its 

device. 

The agency concludes that the device 

will provide four of the five types of 

performance listed in § 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 GM’s petition for 

exemption for the Chevrolet Sonic 

vehicle line from the parts-marking 

requirements of 49 CFR part 541, 

beginning with the 2012 model year 

vehicles. 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 requirements of the Theft 

Prevention Standard. 

If GM 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 parts 541.5 and 541.6 

(marking of major component parts and 

replacement parts). 

NHTSA notes that if GM 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, 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: March 1, 2011. 

Joseph S. Carra, 

Acting Associate Administrator for 

Rulemaking. 

[FR Doc. 2011–5112 Filed 3–7–11; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–59–P 

DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY 

Internal Revenue Service 

Open Meeting for the Electronic Tax 

Administration Advisory Committee 

(ETAAC) 

AGENCY: Internal Revenue Service (IRS), 

Treasury. 

ACTION: Notice of open meeting. 

SUMMARY: In 1998 the Internal Revenue 

Service established the Electronic Tax 

Administration Advisory Committee 

(ETAAC).The primary purpose of 

ETAAC is for industry partners to 

provide an organized public forum for 

discussion of electronic tax 

administration issues in support of the 

overriding goal that paperless filing 

should be the preferred and most 

convenient method of filing tax and 

information returns. ETAAC offers 

constructive observations about current 

or proposed policies, programs, and 

procedures, and suggests improvements. 

Listed is a summary of the agenda along 

with the planned discussion topics. 

Summarized Agenda 

8:30 a.m.—Meet and Greet 

9 a.m.—Meeting Opens 

11 a.m.—Meeting Adjourns 

The topics for discussion include: 

(1) ETAAC Security Subcommittee 

(2) Filing Season Status Update 

(3) Overview of ETA Operations 

Note: Last-minute changes to these topics 

are possible and could prevent advance 

notice. 

DATES: There will be a meeting of the 

ETAAC on Thursday, March 24, 2011. 

You must register in advance to be put 

on a guest list to attend the meeting. 

This meeting will be open to the public, 

and will be in a room that 

accommodates approximately 40 

people, including members of ETAAC 

and IRS officials. Seats are available to 

members of the public on a first-come, 

first-served basis. Escorts will be 

provided so attendees are encouraged to 

arrive at least 30 minutes before the 

meeting begins. 

ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at 

the Internal Revenue Service, 1111 

Constitution Avenue, NW., Room 2116, 

Washington, DC 20024. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: You 

must provide your name in advance for 

the guest list and be able to show your 

State-issued picture identification on 

the day of the meeting. Otherwise, you 

will not be able to attend the meeting as 

this is a secured building. To receive a 

copy of the agenda or general 

information about the ETAAC, please 


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