Source: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2019/03/22/2019-05447/petition-for-exemption-from-the-federal-motor-vehicle-theft-prevention-standard-ford-motor-company
Timestamp: 2019-04-22 00:06:39
Document Index: 471015262

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

https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2019-05447 https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2019-05447
Start Preamble Start Printed Page 10890
In a petition dated November 16, 2018, Ford requested an exemption from the parts-marking requirements of the Theft Prevention Standard for the Lincoln Corsair vehicle line beginning with MY 2020. 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 part 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 its Lincoln Corsair vehicle line. Ford stated that the Lincoln Corsair will be installed with its Intelligent Access with Push Button Start (IAwPB) system as standard equipment on the entire vehicle line. Ford also stated that on its signature trim level models it will offer phone as key (Paak) feature via of the LincolnWay app that can be used when paired with a smart phone instead of using a key fob to lock/unlock or remotely start/shutdown the vehicle. The IAwPB system is a passive, electronic engine immobilizer device that uses encrypted transponder technology. Key components of the IAwPB device will include an Intelligent Access electronic Push-Button Start key fob, keyless ignition system, radio transceiver module, body control module (BCM), powertrain control module (PCM), anti-lock braking system module (ABS) and an embedded secure modem (for Paak feature). Ford further stated that its Lincoln Corsair vehicle line will also be offered with a perimeter alarm system as standard equipment which will activate a visible and audible alarm whenever unauthorized access is attempted.
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 its MY 2019 Lincoln Corsair 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, secondary VINs, and cabin accessibility only with the use of a valid key fob).
Ford further stated that the proposed antitheft device is very similar to the system that was offered on its MY 2017 Lincoln MKC vehicle line. The Lincoln MKC vehicle line was granted a parts-marking exemption on September 30, 2015 by NHTSA (See 80 FR 60243, October 5, 2015) beginning with its MY 2017 vehicles.
Ford also reported that beginning with MY 2010, its antitheft device was Start Printed Page 10891installed 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 device was installed as standard equipment on its Lincoln MKT vehicles. In MY 2011, the device was offered as standard equipment on its Lincoln MKX vehicle line, and as an option on the Lincoln MKS, Ford Taurus, Edge, Explorer and Focus vehicles. Beginning with MY 2013, the device was offered as standard equipment on the Lincoln MKZ and optionally on the Ford Fusion, C-Max and Escape vehicles.
Ford referenced the agency's published theft rate data for the Ford Escape vehicles and stated that the Lincoln Corsair will use the IAwPB device similar to the design and architecture of the Ford Escape. Ford also stated that the Lincoln Corsair is comparably similar to the Ford Escape in vehicle segment, size and equipment. The agency notes that current theft rate data for the Ford Escape vehicle line for MYs 2012 through 2014 are 0.8336, 0.8547 and 0.5051 respectively.
Based on the supporting evidence submitted by Ford on the device, the agency believes that the antitheft device for the Lincoln Corsair 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 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 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 Corsair 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.
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. 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 which the line's exemption is based. Further, Part 543.10(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.”
For the foregoing reasons, the agency hereby grants in full Ford's petition for exemption for the Lincoln Corsair vehicle line from the parts-marking requirements of 49 CFR part 541, beginning with its model year (MY) 2020 vehicles.