20486 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 65 / Wednesday, April 4, 2012 / Notices 

Hoses, 109 New Pneumatic Tires, 113 

Hood Latch System, 116 Motor Vehicle 

Brake Fluids, 124 Accelerator Control 

Systems, 135 Light Vehicle Brake 

Systems, 202 Head Restraints, 204 

Steering Control Rearward 

Displacement, 205 Glazing Materials, 

207 Seating Systems, 210 Seat Belt 

Assembly Anchorages, 212 Windshield 

Mounting, 216 Roof Crush Resistance, 

219 Windshield Zone Intrusion, and 302 

Flammability of Interior Materials. 

The petitioner also contends that the 

vehicles are capable of being readily 

altered to meet the following standards, 

in the manner indicated: 

Standard No. 101 Controls and 

Displays: (a) Inscription of the word 

‘‘brake’’ on the brake telltale in place of 

the international ECE warning symbol; 

and (b) replacement of the speedometer 

with a unit reading in miles per hour, 

or modification of the existing 

speedometer so that it reads in miles per 

hour. 

Standard No. 108 Lamps, Reflective 

Devices and Associated Equipment: 

installation of the following components 

on vehicles that are not already so 

equipped: (a) U.S.-model front side 

marker lamps; (b) U.S.-model 

headlamps; (c) U.S.-model tail lamps 

that incorporate rear side marker lights; 

(d) U.S.-model high-mounted stop lamp; 

and (e) front and rear side reflex 

reflectors. 

Standard No. 110 Tire Selection and 

Rims: installation of a tire information 

placard on vehicles that are not already 

so equipped. 

Standard No. 111 Rearview Mirrors: 

installation of a U.S.-model passenger 

side rearview mirror, or inscription of 

the required warning statement on the 

face of the existing mirror. 

Standard No. 114 Theft Protection: 

installation of a supplemental key 

warning buzzer, or reprogramming of 

the starting system to meet the 

requirements of this standard. 

Standard No. 118 Power-Operated 

Window, Partition, and Roof Panel 

Systems: reprogramming or rewiring of 

the power operated window system to 

meet the requirements of this standard. 

Standard No. 201 Occupant 

Protection in Interior Impact: inspection 

of each vehicle and replacement of non 

U.S.-model upper interior components 

with U.S.-model components to meet 

the requirements of this standard on 

vehicles not already so equipped. 

Standard No. 206 Door Locks and 

Door Retention Components: inspection 

of each vehicle and replacement of non 

U.S.-model door lock components with 

U.S.-model components on vehicles that 

are not already so equipped. 

Standard No. 208 Occupant Crash 

Protection: inspection of each vehicle 

and (a) installation of a seat belt 

warning lamp and buzzer on vehicles 

that are not already so equipped; and (b) 

replacement of any non U.S.- model air 

bags, air bag control units, sensors, seat 

belts, and knee bolsters on vehicles that 

are not already so equipped. The 

petitioner states that the vehicles are 

equipped with an automatic restraint 

system that consists of dual front air 

bags and knee bolsters. In addition, the 

vehicles have combination lap and 

shoulder belts at the outboard front and 

rear seating positions that are selftensioning and capable of being released 

by means of a single red push button. 

Standard No. 209 Seat Belt 

Assemblies: inspection of each vehicle 

and replacement of any non U.S.- 

certified model seat belts with U.S.- 

model components. 

Standard No. 214 Side Impact 

Protection: inspection of each vehicle 

and installation of door reinforcements 

to meet the requirements of the standard 

on vehicles that are not already so 

equipped. 

Standard No. 225 Child Restraint 

Anchorage Systems: inspection of each 

vehicle and installation of U.S.-model 

child restraint anchorage system 

components on vehicles not already no 

so equipped. 

Standard No. 301 Fuel System 

Integrity: inspection of each vehicle and 

replacement of any non U.S.-model fuel 

system components with U.S.-model 

components on vehicles not already so 

equipped. 

The petitioner additionally states that 

a vehicle identification plate must be 

affixed to the vehicles near the left 

windshield post to meet the 

requirements of 49 CFR Part 565. 

All comments received before the 

close of business on the closing date 

indicated above will be considered, and 

will be available for examination in the 

docket at the above addresses both 

before and after that date. To the extent 

possible, comments filed after the 

closing date will also be considered. 

Notice of final action on the petition 

will be published in the Federal 

Register pursuant to the authority 

indicated below. 

Authority: 49 U.S.C. 30141(a)(1)(A) and 

(b)(1); 49 CFR 593.8; delegations of authority 

at 49 CFR 1.50 and 501.8. 

Issued on: March 28, 2012. 

Claude H. Harris, 

Director, Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance. 

[FR Doc. 2012–8003 Filed 4–3–12; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–59–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

National Highway Traffic Safety 

Administration 

Petition for Exemption From the 

Vehicle Theft Prevention Standard; 

Mitsubishi Motors 

AGENCY: National Highway Traffic 

Safety Administration (NHTSA), 

Department of Transportation (DOT). 

ACTION: Grant of petition for exemption. 

SUMMARY: This document grants in full 

the Mitsubishi Motors R&D of America, 

Inc.’s (Mitsubishi) petition for 

exemption of the Mitsubishi i-MiEV 

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 49 CFR 

part 541, Federal Motor Vehicle Theft 

Prevention Standard. Mitsubishi 

requested confidential treatment for 

specific information in its petition. The 

agency addressed Mitsubishi’s request 

for confidential treatment by letter dated 

February 14, 2012. 

DATES: The exemption granted by this 

notice is effective beginning with the 

2013 model year (MY). 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. 

Deborah Mazyck, Office of International 

Policy, Fuel Economy and Consumer 

Programs, NHTSA, West Building, 

W43–443, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., 

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 January 3, 2012, 

Mitsubishi requested exemption from 

the parts-marking requirements of the 

Theft Prevention Standard (49 CFR Part 

541) for the Mitsubishi i-MiEV vehicle 

line, beginning with MY 2013. 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 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, Mitsubishi provided a 

detailed description and diagram of the 

identity, design and location of the 

components of the antitheft device for 

the i-MiEV vehicle line. Mitsubishi will 

install a passive, transponder-based, 


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Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 65 / Wednesday, April 4, 2012 / Notices 20487 

electronic engine immobilizer system as 

standard equipment on its i-MiEV 

vehicle line beginning with MY 2013. 

Features of the antitheft device will 

include a transponder key, Electronic 

Time and Alarm Control System 

Electronic Control Unit (ETACS ECU) 

and an Electric Vehicle Electronic 

Control Unit (EV ECU), key ring antenna 

and a passive immobilizer. Mitsubishi 

will also incorporate an audible and 

visual alarm system as standard 

equipment on the entire vehicle line. 

Mitsubishi’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 543.6. 

Mitsubishi stated that the 

transponder-based, electronic engine 

immobilizer device prevents 

unauthorized starting of the engine. The 

transponder is located in a traditional 

key that must be inserted into the key 

cylinder and turned to the ‘‘ON’’ 

position in order to activate the ignition. 

Mitsubishi also stated that activation of 

the immobilizer does not require the 

doors to be locked. Activation of the 

device automatically occurs when the 

ignition switch is turned to the ‘‘OFF’’ 

position with a valid key and 

deactivated when it is turned to the 

‘‘ON’’ position with an invalid key. 

Mitsubishi further stated that the 

immobilizer system checks the key code 

once the ignition switch is turned to the 

‘‘ON’’ position. The key ring antenna 

reads the specific ignition key code for 

the vehicle and transmits an encrypted 

message containing the key code to the 

ETACS ECU. The ETACS ECU 

determines if the key is valid and 

authorizes the engine to start by sending 

a separate encrypted message to the EV 

ECU. The engine will start only if the 

key code matches the unique 

identification key code previously 

programmed into the EV ECU. If the 

codes do not match, the engine will be 

disabled. 

In addressing the specific content 

requirements of 543.6, Mitsubishi 

provided information on the reliability 

and durability of its proposed device. 

To ensure reliability and durability of 

the device, Mitsubishi conducted tests 

based on its own specified standards. 

Mitsubishi provided a detailed list of 

the tests conducted and believes that the 

device is reliable and durable since the 

device complied with its specific 

requirements for each test. Mitsubishi 

additionally stated that its immobilizer 

system is further enhanced by several 

factors making it very difficult to defeat. 

Specifically, Mitsubishi stated that 

communication between the 

transponder and the ECU are encrypted 

and that there are over 4.3 billion 

possible key codes that make successful 

key code duplication virtually 

impossible. Mitsubishi also stated that 

its immobilizer system and the ECU 

share security data during vehicle 

assembly that make them a matched set. 

These matched modules will not 

function if taken out and reinstalled 

separately on other vehicles. Mitsubishi 

further stated that it is impossible to 

mechanically override the system and 

start the vehicle, because the vehicle 

will not be able to start without the 

transmission of the specific code to the 

electronic control module. Lastly, 

Mitsubishi stated that the antitheft 

device is extremely reliable and durable 

because there are no moving parts, nor 

does the key require a separate battery. 

Mitsubishi informed the agency that 

the i-MiEV vehicle line was first 

equipped with the proposed device 

beginning with its MY 2012 vehicles. 

Additionally, Mitsubishi informed the 

agency that the Eclipse, Galant, 

Endeavor, Outlander, Lancer and 

Outlander Sport vehicle lines have been 

equipped with a similar type of 

immobilizer device since January 2000, 

January 2004, April 2004, September 

2006, March 2007 and September 2010 

respectively, and they have all been 

granted parts-marking exemptions by 

the agency. Mitsubishi also stated that 

beginning with its MY 2000 vehicles, 

the Eclipse vehicle line has been 

equipped with a similar device. 

Mitsubishi further stated that the theft 

rate for the MY 2000 Eclipse decreased 

by almost 42 percent when compared 

with that of its MY 1999 Mitsubishi 

Eclipse (unequipped with an 

immobilizer device). Mitsubishi 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 exemption from the parts-marking 

requirements. The average theft rates 

using three MY’s data for the Mitsubishi 

Eclipse, Galant, Endeavor, Outlander 

and Lancer vehicle lines and are 2.5788, 

5.1114, 1.3723, 0.6374 and 2.5519 

respectively, and theft rates are not 

available for the Outlander Sport 

vehicle line. 

Based on the supporting evidence 

submitted by Mitsubishi on the device, 

the agency believes that the antitheft 

device for the i-MiEV 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 

the five types of performance listed in 

§ 543.6(a)(3): Promoting activation, 

attract attention to the efforts of an 

unauthorized person to enter or move 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. 

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

CFR 543.7(b), the agency grants a 

petition for an 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 Mitsubishi 

has provided adequate reasons for its 

belief that the antitheft device for the 

Mitsubishi i-MiEV 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 

Mitsubishi provided about its device. 

For the foregoing reasons, the agency 

hereby grants in full Mitsubishi’s 

petition for exemption for the Outlander 

Sport vehicle line from the partsmarking requirements of 49 CFR part 

541, beginning with the 2013 MY 

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 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 Mitsubishi 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 as 

required by 49 CFR parts 541.5 and 

541.6 (marking of major component 

parts and replacement parts). 

NHTSA notes that if Mitsubishi 

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 


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20488 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 65 / Wednesday, April 4, 2012 / Notices 

which the line’s exemption is based. 

Further, § 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 § 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 28, 2012. 

Christopher J. Bonanti, 

Associate Administrator for Rulemaking. 

[FR Doc. 2012–8049 Filed 4–3–12; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–59–P 

DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY 

Internal Revenue Service 

Open Meeting of Taxpayer Advocacy 

Panel Taxpayer Burden Reduction 

Project Committee 

AGENCY: Internal Revenue Service (IRS), 

Treasury. 

ACTION: Notice of meeting. 

SUMMARY: An open meeting of the 

Taxpayer Advocacy Panel Taxpayer 

Burden Reduction Project Committee 

will be conducted. The Taxpayer 

Advocacy Panel is soliciting public 

comments, ideas and suggestions on 

improving customer service at the 

Internal Revenue Service. 

DATES: The meeting will be held 

Wednesday, April 18, 2012. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Audrey Y. Jenkins at 1–888–912–1227 

or 718–488–2085. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Notice is 

hereby given pursuant to section 

10(a)(2) of the Federal Advisory 

Committee Act, 5 U.S.C. App. (1988) 

that an open meeting of the Taxpayer 

Advocacy Panel Taxpayer Burden 

Reduction Project Committee will be 

held Wednesday, April 18, 2012, at 2:30 

p.m. Eastern Time via telephone 

conference. The public is invited to 

make oral comments or submit written 

statements for consideration. Due to 

limited conference lines, notification of 

intent to participate must be made with 

Ms. Jenkins. For more information 

please contact Ms. Jenkins at 1–888– 

912–1227 or 718–488–2085, or write 

TAP Office, 10 MetroTech Center, 625 

Fulton Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201, or 

post comments to the Web site: http:// 

www.improveirs.org. 

The agenda will include various IRS 

issues. 

Dated: March 26, 2012. 

Louis Morizio, 

Acting Director, Taxpayer Advocacy Panel. 

[FR Doc. 2012–7996 Filed 4–3–12; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4830–01–P 

DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY 

Internal Revenue Service 

Open Meeting of the Taxpayer 

Advocacy Panel Joint Committee 

AGENCY: Internal Revenue Service (IRS) 

Treasury. 

ACTION: Notice of meeting. 

SUMMARY: An open meeting of the 

Taxpayer Advocacy Panel Joint 

Committee will be conducted. The 

Taxpayer Advocacy Panel is soliciting 

public comments, ideas, and 

suggestions on improving customer 

service at the Internal Revenue Service. 

DATES: The meeting will be held 

Wednesday, April 25, 2012. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Susan Gilbert at 1–888–912–1227 or 

(515) 564–6638. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Notice is 

hereby given pursuant to Section 

10(a)(2) of the Federal Advisory 

Committee Act, 5 U.S.C. App. (1988) 

that an open meeting of the Taxpayer 

Advocacy Panel Joint Committee will be 

held Wednesday, April 25, 2012, 2 p.m. 

Eastern Time via teleconference. The 

public is invited to make oral comments 

or submit written statements for 

consideration. Notification of intent to 

participate must be made with Susan 

Gilbert. For more information please 

contact Ms. Gilbert at 1–888–912–1227 

or (515) 564–6638 or write: TAP Office, 

210 Walnut Street, Stop 5115, Des 

Moines, IA 50309 or contact us at the 

Web site: http://www.improveirs.org. 

The agenda will include various IRS 

topics. 

Dated: March 26, 2012. 

Louis Morizio, 

Acting Director, Taxpayer Advocacy Panel. 

[FR Doc. 2012–8008 Filed 4–3–12; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4830–01–P 

DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY 

Internal Revenue Service 

Open Meeting of the Taxpayer 

Advocacy Panel Small Business/SelfEmployed Decreasing Non-Filers 

Project Committee 

AGENCY: Internal Revenue Service (IRS), 

Treasury. 

ACTION: Notice of meeting. 

SUMMARY: An open meeting of the 

Taxpayer Advocacy Panel Small 

Business/Self-Employed Decreasing 

Non-Filers Project Committee will be 

conducted. The Taxpayer Advocacy 

Panel is soliciting public comments, 

ideas, and suggestions on improving 

customer service at the Internal Revenue 

Service. 

DATES: The meeting will be held 

Thursday April 26 and Friday, April 27, 

2012. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Patricia Robb at 1–888–912–1227 or 

414–231–2360. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Notice is 

hereby given pursuant to Section 

10(a)(2) of the Federal Advisory 

Committee Act, 5 U.S.C. App. (1988) 

that an open meeting of the Taxpayer 

Advocacy Panel Small Business/SelfEmployed Decreasing Non-Filers Project 

Committee will be held Thursday, April 

26 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Friday, 

April 27 from 8 a.m. to Noon Central 

Time at 211 West Wisconsin Avenue, 

Milwaukee, WI 53203–2221. The public 

is invited to make oral comments or 

submit written statements for 

consideration. Notification of intent to 

participate must be made with Ms. 

Patricia Robb. For more information 

please contact Ms. Robb at 1–888–912– 

1227 or 414–231–2360, or write TAP 

Office Stop 1006MIL, 211 West 

Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 

53203–2221, or post comments to the 

Web site: http://www.improveirs.org. 

The agenda will include various IRS 

issues. 

Dated: March 27, 2012. 

Louis Morizio, 

Acting Director, Taxpayer Advocacy Panel. 

[FR Doc. 2012–7997 Filed 4–3–12; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4830–01–P 


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