70276 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 227 / Tuesday, November 25, 2014 / Notices 

Issued on: November 20, 2014. 

Randy Reid, 

Chief, Correspondence Research Division, 

Office of Defects Investigation. 

[FR Doc. 2014–27922 Filed 11–24–14; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–59–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

National Highway Traffic Safety 

Administration 

Petition for Exemption From the 

Federal Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention 

Standard; Ford Motor Company 

AGENCY: National Highway Traffic 

Safety Administration (NHTSA), 

Department of Transportation (DOT). 

ACTION: Grant of petition for exemption. 

SUMMARY: This document grants in full 

the Ford Motor Company’s (Ford) 

petition for an exemption of the MKX 

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 partsmarking requirements of the 49 CFR 

part 541, Federal Motor Vehicle Theft 

Prevention Standard (Theft Prevention 

Standard). Ford also requested 

confidential treatment for specific 

information in its petition. The agency 

will address Ford’s request for 

confidential treatment by separate letter. 

DATES: The exemption granted by this 

notice is effective beginning with the 

2016 model year (MY). 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. 

Deborah Mazyck, Office of 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) 366–4139. Her fax number is (202) 

493–2990. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In a 

petition dated August 18, 2014, Ford 

requested an exemption from the partsmarking requirements of the Theft 

Prevention Standard for the Lincoln 

MKX vehicle line beginning with MY 

2016. The petition requested 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 49 CFR 543.5(a), a 

manufacturer may petition NHTSA to 

grant an exemption for one vehicle line 

per model year. In its petition, Ford 

provided a detailed description and 

diagram of the identity, design, and 

location of the components of the 

antitheft device for the Lincoln MKX 

vehicle line. Ford stated that the Model 

Year (MY) 2016 Lincoln MKX will be 

installed with its Intelligent Access with 

Push button Start (IAwPB) passive, 

electronic immobilizer device using 

encrypted transponder technology as 

standard equipment on the entire 

vehicle line. Key components of the 

IAwPB device will include an electronic 

key fob, remote function actuator (RFA), 

body control module (BCM), powertrain 

control module (PCM) and a passive 

immobilizer. Ford further stated that its 

Lincoln MKX vehicle line will be 

offered with a perimeter alarm system as 

standard equipment. The perimeter 

alarm system activates a visible and 

audible alarm if unauthorized access is 

attempted. Ford’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. 

Ford stated that the device’s 

integration of the transponder into the 

normal operation of the ignition key 

assures activation of the system. Ford 

stated that the start sequence is initiated 

when the ‘StartStop’ button is pressed. 

Specifically, the transceiver module 

sends a signal to the keyfob through the 

RF antenna. The keyfob responds with 

a High Frequency (UHF) over the air 

signal that includes the keycode, back to 

the transceiver module. Once the key is 

validated, starting of the engine is 

authorized by sending a separate 

encrypted message to the BCM/RFA and 

then the powertrain control module 

PCM. Ford stated that the powertrain 

will function only if the keycode 

matches the unique identification 

keycode previously programmed into 

the BCM/RFA. If the codes do not 

match, the vehicle will be inoperable. 

Ford stated that an electronic key will 

be programmed into the vehicle during 

system initialization performed at the 

manufacturing plant. Ford further stated 

that if the programmed key is not 

present in the vehicle, the engine will 

not start. Ford also pointed out that in 

addition to the programmed key, there 

are two modules that must be matched 

together in order to start the vehicle, 

adding an additional level of security to 

both systems. Ford stated that the BCM 

and the PCM share security data that, 

during vehicle assembly, form matched 

modules that must be together in order 

to start the vehicle. Ford further stated 

that no owner/operator actions are 

required to deactivate the device 

because it functions automatically each 

time an engine start sequence occurs. 

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 

provided a detailed list of the tests 

conducted and believes that the device 

is reliable and durable since the device 

complied with its own specified 

requirements for each test. 

Ford stated that it’s MY 2016 Lincoln 

MKX vehicle line will also be equipped 

with several other standard antitheft 

features common to Ford vehicles, (i.e., 

hood release located inside the vehicle, 

counterfeit resistant VIN labels and 

secondary VINs, cabin accessibility only 

with the use of a valid key fob). 

Ford compared the device proposed 

for its 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. Ford stated that it 

believes that the standard installation of 

the IAwPB device would be an effective 

deterrent against vehicle theft. 

Ford stated that its antitheft device 

was installed on all MY 1996 Ford 

Mustang GT and Cobra models and 

other selected models. Ford stated that 

in the 1997 model, its antitheft device 

was extended to the complete Ford 

Mustang vehicle line as standard 

equipment. Ford also stated that 

according to the National Insurance 

Crime Bureau (NICB) theft statistics, MY 

1997 Mustangs installed with the 

SecuriLock device showed a 70% 

reduction in theft rate compared to the 

MY 1995 Mustangs. 

Ford stated that starting with MY 

2013, the IAwPB was offered as 

standard equipment on the Lincoln 

MKZ. Ford also reported that beginning 

with MY 2010, the its antitheft device 

was installed as standard equipment on 

all of its North American Ford, Lincoln 

and Mercury vehicles but was offered as 

optional equipment on its 2010 F-series 

Super Duty pickups, Econoline and 

Transit Connect vehicles. Ford further 

stated that beginning with MY 2010, the 

IAwPB was standard equipment on the 

Lincoln MKT vehicles; starting with MY 

2011, the device was offered as standard 

equipment on the Lincoln MKX and 

optionally on the Lincoln MKS, Taurus, 

Edge, Explorer and the Focus vehicles 

and beginning with MY 2013, the device 

was offered as optional equipment on 

the Ford Fusion, C-Max and Escape 

vehicles. 


wreier-aviles on DSK4TPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 227 / Tuesday, November 25, 2014 / Notices 70277 

Ford stated that the proposed antitheft 

device is a newer generation of the 

system that was offered in MY 2014 

Ford Edge vehicle line. The Ford Edge 

vehicle line was granted a parts-marking 

exemption on January 18, 2013 by 

NHTSA (See 78 FR 4192) beginning 

with its MY 2014 vehicles. The agency 

notes that current theft rate data for MYs 

2010 through preliminary 2012 are 

0.8783, 0.7824 and 0.7371 respectively 

for the Ford Edge vehicle line. 

The agency agrees that the device is 

substantially similar to devices installed 

on other vehicle lines for which the 

agency has already granted exemptions. 

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 Ford has provided adequate 

reasons for its belief that the antitheft 

device for the Lincoln MKX 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 

Ford provided about its device. 

Based on the supporting evidence 

submitted by Ford on the device, the 

agency believes that the antitheft device 

for the Lincoln MKX 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; 

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. 

For the foregoing reasons, the agency 

hereby grants in full Ford’s petition for 

exemption for the Lincoln MKX 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. § 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, 

§ 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. 

Under authority delegated in 49 CFR 1.95. 

R. Ryan Posten, 

Associate Administrator for Rulemaking. 

[FR Doc. 2014–27886 Filed 11–24–14; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–59–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

National Highway Traffic Safety 

Administration 

Petition for Exemption From the 

Federal Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention 

Standard; Toyota 

AGENCY: National Highway Traffic 

Safety Administration, Department of 

Transportation (DOT). 

ACTION: Grant of petition for exemption. 

SUMMARY: This document grants in full 

Toyota Motor North America, Inc.’s, 

(Toyota) petition for an exemption of 

the Sienna 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 partsmarking requirements of the 49 CFR 

part 541, Federal Motor Vehicle Theft 

Prevention Standard (Theft Prevention 

Standard). 

DATES: The exemption granted by this 

notice is effective beginning with the 

2016 model year (MY). 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. 

Carlita Ballard, Office of International 

Policy, Fuel Economy and Consumer 

Programs, NHTSA, W43–439, 1200 New 

Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 

20590. Ms. Ballard’s phone number is 

(202) 366–5222. Her fax number is (202) 

493–2990. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In a 

petition dated July 1, 2014, Toyota 

requested an exemption from the partsmarking requirements of the Theft 

Prevention Standard for the Sienna 

vehicle line beginning with MY 2016. 

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 49 CFR part 543.5(a), a 

manufacturer may petition NHTSA to 

grant an exemption for one vehicle line 

per model year. In its petition, Toyota 

provided a detailed description and 

diagram of the identity, design, and 

location of the components of the 

antitheft device for the Sienna vehicle 

line. Toyota stated that the MY 2016 

Sienna vehicle line will be installed 

with an engine immobilizer device as 

standard equipment. Toyota also stated 

that it will offer two entry/start systems 

on its Sienna vehicle line. Specifically, 

Toyota stated that the Sienna vehicle 

line will be offered with a ‘‘smart entry 

and start system’’ or a ‘‘remote keyless 

entry (RKE) and start system’’. Key 

components of the ‘‘smart entry and 

start system’’ are an engine immobilizer 

device, a certification electronic control 

unit (ECU), engine switch, steering lock 

ECU, security indicator, door control 

receiver, electrical key and an electronic 

control module (ECM). The ‘‘RKE and 

start system’’ components are an engine 


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