[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 78 (Tuesday, April 24, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 20400-20401]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-7719]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration


Petition for Exemption From the Vehicle Theft Prevention 
Standard; Ford

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 Ford Taurus X 
(formerly the Ford Freestyle) vehicle line beginning with model year 
(MY) 2008. 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) 2008.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In a petition dated December 15, 2006, Ford 
requested an exemption from the parts-marking requirements of the Theft 
Prevention Standard (49 CFR part 541) for the Ford Taurus X (formerly 
the Ford Freestyle) vehicle line beginning with MY 2008. 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 
exemptions for one of its vehicle lines per year. Ford has petitioned 
the agency to grant an exemption for its Ford Taurus X vehicle line 
beginning with MY 2008. In its petition, Ford provided a detailed

[[Page 20401]]

description and diagram of the identity, design, and location of the 
components of the antitheft device for the Ford Taurus X vehicle line. 
Ford will install its passive antitheft device as standard equipment on 
the vehicle line. Features of the antitheft device will include an 
electronic key, ignition lock, and a passive immobilizer. Additionally, 
the Ford Taurus X will have a standard perimeter alarm system which 
will monitor all the doors, the decklid and the 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 Sec.  
543.5 and the specific content requirements of Sec.  543.6.
    The antitheft device to be installed on the MY 2008 Ford Taurus X 
is the SecuriLock Passive Anti-Theft Electronic Engine Immobilizer 
System (SecuriLock). 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 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. 
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 stated that the Ford Freestyle (renamed Taurus X for MY 2008) 
has experienced very low theft rates. The agency's theft rate data is 
not available for calendar year/model year (CY/MY) 2005 and 2006, 
however, Ford calculated its own theft rate data for the MY 2005 and 
2006 Ford Freestyle vehicle line based on its CAFE production volumes 
and the National Insurance Crime Bureau theft data per one thousand 
vehicles produced. Ford stated that the theft rate for CY/MY 2005 and 
2006 were 0.6744 and 1.3473, respectively. Accordingly, Ford stated 
that, although the NICB theft data indicates that there was an increase 
in the overall theft rate for CY/MY 2006 vehicles, its calculations 
showed that the rate for the Ford Freestyle continued to stay below the 
agency's median theft rate of 3.5826.
    Additionally, Ford noted the reduction in theft rate for other 
vehicle lines equipped with the SecuriLock device. 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 
thefts 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.
    Based on the evidence submitted by Ford, the agency believes that 
the antitheft device for the Ford Taurus X 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). Based on the information Ford provided 
about its device, the agency concludes that the device will provide the 
five types of performance listed in Sec.  543.6(a)(3): Promoting 
activation; attracting attention to the efforts of unauthorized persons 
to enter or operate a 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 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.
    For the foregoing reasons, the agency hereby grants in full Ford's 
petition for exemption for the Ford Taurus X 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. If such a decision is made, the line must 
be fully marked according to the requirements under 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. 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 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 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: April 18, 2007.
Stephen R. Kratzke,
Associate Administrator for Rulemaking.
[FR Doc. E7-7719 Filed 4-23-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-59-P