[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 168 (Tuesday, August 31, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 53375-53376]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-21758]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration


Petition for Exemption From the Federal Motor Vehicle Theft 
Prevention Standard; Chrysler

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 Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) 
petition for exemption of the Fiat 500 vehicle line in accordance with 
49 CFR Part 543, Exemption From Vehicle 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 parts-marking requirements of 49 CFR Part 541, 
Federal Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention Standard.

DATES: The exemption granted by this notice is effective beginning with 
the 2012 Model Year (MY).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Deborah Mazyck, International 
Policy, Fuel Economy and Consumer Programs, NHTSA, 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 June 16, 2010, Chrysler 
requested an exemption from the parts-marking requirements of the Theft 
Prevention Standard (49 CFR Part 541) for the Fiat 500 vehicle line, 
beginning with MY 2012. The petition requested an exemption from parts-
marking requirements 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 Section Sec.  543.5(a), a manufacturer may petition NHTSA to 
grant exemptions for one of its vehicle lines per year. Chrysler 
petitioned the agency to grant an exemption for its Fiat 500 vehicle 
line beginning with MY 2012. In its petition, Chrysler provided a 
detailed description and diagram of the identity, design, and location 
of the components of the antitheft device for the new vehicle line. 
Chrysler will install the Sentry Key Immobilizer System (SKIS) 
antitheft device as standard equipment on the vehicle line. The major 
components of the SKIS device consist of: A Powertrain Control Module 
(PCM), a Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM), a Sentry Key Remote 
Entry Module (SKREEM), a transponder key fob and an ElectroMechanical 
Instrument Cluster (EMIC) which controls the telltale function only. 
According to Chrysler, all of these components work collectively to 
perform the immobilizer function. Chrysler also stated that its SKIS 
device does not provide a visible or audible indication of unauthorized 
vehicle entry (i.e., flashing lights or horn alarm).
    Chrysler stated that the SKIS device provides passive vehicle 
protection by preventing the engine from operating unless a valid 
electronically encoded key is detected in the ignition lock cylinder. 
According to Chrysler, the immobilizer feature is activated when the 
key is removed from the ignition lock cylinder. Only a valid key 
inserted into the ignition lock cylinder will allow the vehicle to 
start and continue to run.
    Chrysler stated that the Sentry Key Immobilizer Module (SKIM), also 
known as the Sentry Key Remote Entry Module/SKREEM, or the Body Control 
Module/BCM are integral to the Body Computer Module (BCM) on the Fiat 
500 vehicle line. Chrysler also stated that the BCM contains a radio 
frequency (RF) transceiver and microprocessor that receives RF signals 
from the Sentry Key transponder to the keyfob through a tuned antenna. 
According to Chrysler, the BCM also serves as the Remote Keyless Entry 
(RKE) RF receiver. Specifically, Chrysler stated that the SKIS device 
uses radio frequency communication to obtain confirmation that the key 
in the ignition switch is a valid transponder key for operating the 
vehicle. To avoid any perceived delay when starting the vehicle with a 
valid key and to prevent unburned fuel from entering the exhaust, the 
engine is permitted to run for no more than 2 seconds if an invalid key 
is used. Chrysler stated that when the ignition switch is turned on, 
the BCM transmits a signal to the transponder in the key and waits for 
a response from the transponder. If the response identifies the key as 
invalid, or if no response is received from the transponder key, 
Chrysler stated that the BCM sends an invalid key message to the 
Powertrain Control Module (PCM), and the PCM will disable engine 
operation (after the initial 2-second run) based upon the status of the 
BCM messages. Chrysler further stated that only six consecutive invalid 
vehicle start attempts would be permitted and all other attempts would 
be locked out.
    Chrysler stated that it will also incorporate an unauthorized 
vehicle start telltale light into the device that will operate as a 
security indicator in the ElectroMechanical Instrument Cluster (EMIC). 
According to Chrysler, the telltale will alert the owner that an 
unauthorized vehicle start attempt has been made. Chrysler stated that 
upon an unauthorized start attempt, the telltale will flash on and off 
when the ignition switch is turned to the ``ON'' position. Chrysler 
stated that while the telltale acts as a security indicator, it also 
acts as a diagnostic indicator. Chrysler stated that if the SKREEM 
detects a system malfunction and/or the SKIS device becomes 
inoperative, the security indicator will stay on. However, if the 
SKREEM detects an invalid key or if a key transponder-related fault 
exists, the security indicator will flash.

[[Page 53376]]

    In addressing the specific content requirements of 543.6, Chrysler 
provided information on the reliability and durability of the device. 
Chrysler conducted tests based on its own specified standards and 
stated its belief that the device meets the stringent performance 
standards prescribed. Specifically, Chrysler stated that its device 
must demonstrate a minimum of 95 percent reliability with 90 percent 
confidence. In addition to the design and production validation test 
criteria, Chrysler stated that the SKIS device also undergoes a daily 
short term durability test and 100 percent of its systems undergo a 
series of three functional tests for durability prior to being shipped 
from the supplier to the vehicle assembly plant for installation in its 
vehicles.
    Chrysler also stated that each ignition key used in the SKIS device 
has an integral transponder chip included on the circuit board beneath 
the cover of the integral Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter. 
Chrysler further stated that in addition to having to be cut to match 
the mechanical coding of the ignition lock cylinder and programmed for 
operation of the RKE system, each new Sentry Key has a unique 
transponder identification code that is permanently programmed into it 
by the manufacturer, and must be programmed into the SKREEM to be 
recognized by the SKIS device as a valid key. Chrysler stated that once 
a transponder key has been programmed to a particular vehicle, it 
cannot be used on any other vehicle.
    Chrysler stated that while there is no theft data available for the 
Fiat 500 because it is a new vehicle line introduction, the theft rate 
experience of the Jeep Grand Cherokee which has been installed with the 
SKIS immobilizer device since MY 1999 indicates that it is projected to 
have a theft rate lower than the median theft rate. Chrysler stated 
that NHTSA's theft rate data for the Jeep Grand Cherokee indicates that 
the inclusion of a standard immobilizer system has resulted in a 52.3 
percent net average reduction in vehicle thefts for the Jeep Grand 
Cherokee vehicle line. The average theft rate for the Jeep Grand 
Cherokee vehicle for four model years prior to installation of an 
immobilizer device as standard equipment (1995-1998) was 5.3574, which 
is significantly higher than the 1990/1991 median theft rate of 3.5826. 
However, the average theft rate for the six model years after 
installation of the standard immobilizer device (1999-2005) was 2.5492, 
which is significantly lower than the median. The Jeep Grand Cherokee 
vehicle line was granted an exemption from the parts-marking 
requirements beginning with MY 2004. Chrysler stated that it expects 
Fiat 500 vehicles equipped with standard ignition immobilizer systems 
to mirror the results achieved by the Jeep Cherokee vehicles when 
ignition immobilizer devices were included as standard equipment.
    Based on the supporting evidence submitted by Chrysler on the Jeep 
Grand Cherokee, the agency believes that the antitheft device for the 
Fiat 500 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 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 543.7 (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 
supporting 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 Chrysler has provided adequate reasons for its belief that 
the antitheft device for the Fiat 500 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 Chrysler 
provided about its device.
    For the foregoing reasons, the agency hereby grants in full 
Chrysler's petition for an exemption for the MY 2012 Fiat 500 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 with respect 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 Chrysler decides not to use the exemption for this vehicle line, 
it must formally notify the agency. If such a decision is made, the 
vehicle 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 Chrysler 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: August 26, 2010.
Joseph S. Carra,
Acting Associate Administrator for Rulemaking.
[FR Doc. 2010-21758 Filed 8-30-10; 8:45 am]
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