Source: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2006/09/01/E6-14583/petition-for-exemption-from-the-vehicle-theft-prevention-standard-ford-motor-company
Timestamp: 2018-03-24 16:36:01
Document Index: 16245746

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 543', 'art 541', 'art 543', '§\u2009543', 'art 541', '§\u2009543', 'art 541', 'art 541', 'art 543', 'art 543', 'arts 541']

A Notice by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration on 09/01/2006
71 FR 52206
E6-14583
https://www.federalregister.gov/d/E6-14583 https://www.federalregister.gov/d/E6-14583
This document grants in full the petition of Ford Motor Company, (Ford) in accordance with 49 CFR Part 543, Exemption from the Theft Prevention Standard, for the Five Hundred vehicle line beginning with model year (MY) 2007. 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.
In a petition dated April 28, 2006, Ford requested exemption from the parts-marking requirements of the theft prevention standard (49 CFR Part 541) for the MY 2007 Five Hundred vehicle line. 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 an entire vehicle line.
Under § 543.5(a), a manufacturer may petition NHTSA to grant exemptions for one line of its vehicle lines per 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 Five Hundred vehicle line. Ford will install its antitheft device, the SecuriLock Passive Anti-Theft Electronic Powertrain Immobilizer System (SecuriLock) as standard equipment on the Ford Five Hundred vehicle line beginning with MY 2007. Features of the antitheft device will include an electronic key, ignition lock, and a passive immobilizer. Additionally, the Ford Five Hundred will have an optional perimeter alarm system which will monitor all the doors, decklid and 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 543.5 and the specific content requirements of 543.6.
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. Ford also Start Printed Page 52207stated 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.
On the basis of this comparison, Ford has concluded that the antitheft device proposed for its Five Hundred 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.
Based on the evidence submitted by Ford, the agency may grant a petition for an exemption from the parts-marking requirements of 541 if it determines that the standard antitheft device for the 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).
Pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 33106 and 49 CFR 543.7(b), the agency finds that Ford has provided adequate reasons for its belief that the antitheft device for the Five Hundred vehicle line will reduce and deter theft. This conclusion is based on the information Ford 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 Ford's petition for exemption for the Five Hundred 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 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, and, thereafter, 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).
[FR Doc. E6-14583 Filed 8-31-06; 8:45 am]