Petition for Exemption From the Vehicle Theft Prevention Standard; Mazda, 40447-40448 [E8-15914]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 135 / Monday, July 14, 2008 / Notices to any revision or issuance of a notice of proposed rulemaking. Times and Dates: The informal airspace meetings will be held on Tuesday, September 16, 2008, from 2 p.m.–7 p.m., and Wednesday, September 17, 2008, from 9 a.m.–12 p.m. Comments must be received on or before September 25, 2008. ADDRESSES: (1) The meeting on Tuesday, September 16, 2008, will be held at the Wellington Town Hall, 115 Willard Memorial Square, 2nd Floor Council Chambers, Wellington, OH 44090. (2) The meeting on Wednesday, September 17, 2008, will be held at Burke Lakefront Airport, Large Conference Room, 1501 North Marginal Road, Cleveland, OH 44114. Comments: Send comments on the proposal to: Don Smith, Manager, Operations Support Group, Air Traffic Organization Central Service Area, Federal Aviation Administration, 2601 Meacham Boulevard, Fort Worth, Texas 76137, or by fax to (817) 222–5547. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Pete DiFranco, FAA Cleveland ATCT/ TRACON, Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, 5300 Riverside Drive, Cleveland, Ohio 44135; Telephone (216) 898–2020. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: pwalker on PROD1PC71 with NOTICES Meeting Procedures (a) The meetings will be informal in nature and will be conducted by one or more representatives of the FAA Central Service Area. A representative from the FAA will present a formal briefing on the planned modification to the Class B airspace at Cleveland, OH. Each participant will be given an opportunity to deliver comments or make a presentation. Only comments concerning the plan to modify the Class B airspace area at Cleveland, OH, will be accepted. (b) The meetings will be open to all persons on a space-available basis. There will be no admission fee or other charge to attend and participate. (c) Any person wishing to make a presentation to the FAA panel will be asked to sign in and estimate the amount of time needed for such presentation. This will permit the panel to allocate an appropriate amount of time for each presenter. These meetings will not be adjourned until everyone on the list has had an opportunity to address the panel. (d) Position papers or other handout material relating to the substance of these meetings will be accepted. Participants wishing to submit handout material should present an original and two copies (3 copies total) to the VerDate Aug<31>2005 17:08 Jul 11, 2008 Jkt 214001 presiding officer. There should be additional copies of each handout available for other attendees. (e) These meetings will not be formally recorded. Agenda for the Meetings —Sign-in. —Presentation of Meeting Procedures. —FAA explanation of the proposed Class B modifications. —Solicitation of Public Comments. —Closing Comments. Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40103, 40113, 40120; E.O. 10854, 24 FR 9565, 3 CFR, 1959– 1963 Comp., p. 389. Issued in Washington, DC, on July 2, 2008. Kenneth McElroy, Acting Manager, Airspace and Rules Group. [FR Doc. E8–16010 Filed 7–11–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–13–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Petition for Exemption From the Vehicle Theft Prevention Standard; Mazda National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Department of Transportation (DOT). ACTION: Grant of petition for exemption. AGENCY: SUMMARY: This document grants in full the petition of Mazda Motor Corporation (Mazda) in accordance with § 543.9(c)(2) of 49 CFR part 543, Exemption From the Theft Prevention Standard, for the Mazda Tribute vehicle line beginning with model year (MY) 2010. 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 Theft Prevention Standard. DATES: The exemption granted by this notice is effective beginning with model year (MY) 2010. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Deborah Mazyck, Office of International Policy, Fuel Economy and Consumer Programs, NHTSA, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590. Ms. Mazyck’s telephone number is (202) 366–0846. Her fax number is (202) 493– 2990. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In a petition dated March 28, 2008, Mazda requested an exemption from the partsmarking requirements of the Theft Prevention Standard (49 CFR part 541) PO 00000 Frm 00165 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 40447 for the Mazda Tribute vehicle line beginning with MY 2010. The petition requested an exemption from partsmarking 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 of its vehicle lines per year. Mazda has petitioned the agency to grant an exemption for its Mazda Tribute vehicle line beginning with MY 2010. In its petition, Mazda provided a detailed description and diagram of the identity, design, and location of the components of the antitheft device for the Mazda Tribute vehicle line. Mazda will install its passive antitheft device as standard equipment on the vehicle line. Mazda’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. Mazda’s antitheft device is a transponder-based electronic immobilizer system. Mazda stated that the Tribute vehicle line is developed by the Ford Motor Company (Ford), and the passive anti-theft electronic engine immobilizer system proposed for installation on the line is the same as Ford’s SecuriLock Passive Anti-Theft System (PATS). The device will provide protection against unauthorized use (i.e., starting and engine fueling), but will not provide any visible or audible indication of unauthorized vehicle entry (i.e., flashing lights or horn alarm). Mazda stated that the integration of the transponder into the normal operation of the ignition key assures activation of the system. When the ignition key is turned to the start position, the transceiver module reads the ignition key code and transmits an encrypted message to the cluster. Validation of the key is determined and start of the engine is authorized once a separate encrypted message is sent to the powertrain’s control module (PCM). The powertrain will function only if the key code matches the unique identification key code previously programmed into the PCM. If the codes do not match, the powertrain engine starter will be disabled. In its submission, Mazda stated that the PATS antitheft device was previously approved for exemption from the requirements of Part 541. The agency granted in full the petition for the Ford Focus vehicle line beginning with model year 2006, (see 51 FR 7824, February 14, 2006), the Ford Five Hundred vehicle line beginning with E:\FR\FM\14JYN1.SGM 14JYN1 pwalker on PROD1PC71 with NOTICES 40448 Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 135 / Monday, July 14, 2008 / Notices model year 2007, (see 71 FR 52206, September 1, 2006), Ford Taurus X vehicle line beginning with model year 2008, (see 72 FR 20400, April 24, 2007). There is currently no available theft rate data published by the agency for the MY 2008 Tribute vehicle line. However, Mazda provided data on the effectiveness of other similar antitheft devices installed on the vehicle lines in support of its belief that its device will be at least as effective as those comparable devices previously granted exemptions by the agency. Mazda reported that in MY 1996, the proposed system was installed on certain U.S. Ford vehicles as standard equipment (i.e. on all Ford Mustang GT and Cobra models, Ford Taurus LX, SHO and Sable LS models). In MY 1997, the immobilizer system was installed on the Ford Mustang vehicle line as standard equipment. When comparing 1995 model year Mustang vehicle thefts (without immobilizer), with MY 1997 Mustang vehicle thefts (with immobilizer), data from the National Insurance Crime Bureau showed a 70% reduction in theft. (Actual NCIC reported thefts were 500 for MY 1995 Mustang, and 149 thefts for MY 1997 Mustang.) Mazda also provided additional data from the July 2000 Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) news release to support its belief in the reliability of its device. The IIHS news release showed an average theft reduction of about fifty percent for vehicles equipped with immobilizer systems. Based on the evidence submitted by Mazda, the agency believes that the antitheft device for the Mazda Tribute vehicle line is likely to be as effective in reducing and deterring motor vehicle theft as compliance with the partsmarking requirements of the Theft Prevention Standard (49 CFR 541). In addressing the specific content requirements of 543.6, Mazda requested the agency to refer to the reliability and durability information submitted in Ford’s June 5, 2002 letter to the agency regarding the identical device installed as standard equipment on the 2003 Ford Th!nk City vehicle line.1 Ford 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. Mazda stated that the electronic engine immobilizer device makes conventional theft methods such as hotwiring or attacking the ignition lock 1 Reliability and durability data were submitted by Ford in support of its request pursuant to 49 CFR part 542, ‘‘Procedures for Selecting Lines to be Covered by the Theft Prevention Standard’’. VerDate Aug<31>2005 17:08 Jul 11, 2008 Jkt 214001 cylinder ineffective, and virtually eliminates drive-away thefts. Mazda also stated that the integration of the setting device (transponder) into the ignition key prevents any inadvertent activation of the system. Mazda stated that there are 18 quintillion possible codes making a successful key duplication virtually impossible. The agency also notes 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. 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 Mazda has provided adequate reasons for its belief that the antitheft device for the Mazda Tribute vehicle line is likely to be as effective in reducing and deterring motor vehicle theft as compliance with the partsmarking requirements of the Theft Prevention Standard (49 CFR part 541). This conclusion is based on the information Mazda provided about its device. For the foregoing reasons, the agency hereby grants in full Mazda’s petition for exemption for the Tribute vehicle line from the parts-marking requirements of 49 CFR part 541, beginning with the 2010 model year 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 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 partsmarking requirements of the Theft Prevention Standard. If Mazda 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 parts 541.5 and 541.6 (marking of PO 00000 Frm 00166 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 major component parts and replacement parts). NHTSA notes that if Mazda 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, Part 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. Authority: 49 U.S.C. 33106; delegation of authority at 49 CFR 1.50. Stephen R. Kratzke, Associate Administrator for Rulemaking. [FR Doc. E8–15914 Filed 7–11–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–59–P DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY Office of Foreign Assets Control Additional Designation of Entities Pursuant to Executive Order 13382 Office of Foreign Assets Control, Treasury. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: SUMMARY: The Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (‘‘OFAC’’) is publishing the names of four newly-designated entities and four newly-designated individuals whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to Executive Order 13382 of June 28, 2005, ‘‘Blocking Property of Weapons of Mass Destruction Proliferators and Their Supporters.’’ The designation by the Director of OFAC of the four entities and four individuals identified in this notice DATES: E:\FR\FM\14JYN1.SGM 14JYN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 135 (Monday, July 14, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 40447-40448]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-15914]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration


Petition for Exemption From the Vehicle Theft Prevention 
Standard; Mazda

AGENCY: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). 
Department of Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Grant of petition for exemption.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This document grants in full the petition of Mazda Motor 
Corporation (Mazda) in accordance with Sec.  543.9(c)(2) of 49 CFR part 
543, Exemption From the Theft Prevention Standard, for the Mazda 
Tribute vehicle line beginning with model year (MY) 2010. 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.

DATES: The exemption granted by this notice is effective beginning with 
model year (MY) 2010.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Deborah Mazyck, Office of 
International Policy, Fuel Economy and Consumer Programs, NHTSA, 1200 
New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590. Ms. Mazyck's telephone 
number is (202) 366-0846. Her fax number is (202) 493-2990.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In a petition dated March 28, 2008, Mazda 
requested an exemption from the parts-marking requirements of the Theft 
Prevention Standard (49 CFR part 541) for the Mazda Tribute vehicle 
line beginning with MY 2010. 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 an entire vehicle line.
    Under Sec.  543.5(a), a manufacturer may petition NHTSA to grant 
exemptions for one of its vehicle lines per year. Mazda has petitioned 
the agency to grant an exemption for its Mazda Tribute vehicle line 
beginning with MY 2010. In its petition, Mazda provided a detailed 
description and diagram of the identity, design, and location of the 
components of the antitheft device for the Mazda Tribute vehicle line. 
Mazda will install its passive antitheft device as standard equipment 
on the vehicle line. Mazda's submission is considered a complete 
petition as required by 49 CFR 543.7, in that it meets the general 
requirements contained in Sec.  543.5 and the specific content 
requirements of Sec.  543.6.
    Mazda's antitheft device is a transponder-based electronic 
immobilizer system. Mazda stated that the Tribute vehicle line is 
developed by the Ford Motor Company (Ford), and the passive anti-theft 
electronic engine immobilizer system proposed for installation on the 
line is the same as Ford's SecuriLock Passive Anti-Theft System (PATS). 
The device will provide protection against unauthorized use (i.e., 
starting and engine fueling), but will not provide any visible or 
audible indication of unauthorized vehicle entry (i.e., flashing lights 
or horn alarm). Mazda stated that the integration of the transponder 
into the normal operation of the ignition key assures activation of the 
system. When the ignition key is turned to the start position, the 
transceiver module reads the ignition key code and transmits an 
encrypted message to the cluster. Validation of the key is determined 
and start of the engine is authorized once a separate encrypted message 
is sent to the powertrain's control module (PCM). The powertrain will 
function only if the key code matches the unique identification key 
code previously programmed into the PCM. If the codes do not match, the 
powertrain engine starter will be disabled.
    In its submission, Mazda stated that the PATS antitheft device was 
previously approved for exemption from the requirements of Part 541. 
The agency granted in full the petition for the Ford Focus vehicle line 
beginning with model year 2006, (see 51 FR 7824, February 14, 2006), 
the Ford Five Hundred vehicle line beginning with

[[Page 40448]]

model year 2007, (see 71 FR 52206, September 1, 2006), Ford Taurus X 
vehicle line beginning with model year 2008, (see 72 FR 20400, April 
24, 2007). There is currently no available theft rate data published by 
the agency for the MY 2008 Tribute vehicle line. However, Mazda 
provided data on the effectiveness of other similar antitheft devices 
installed on the vehicle lines in support of its belief that its device 
will be at least as effective as those comparable devices previously 
granted exemptions by the agency.
    Mazda reported that in MY 1996, the proposed system was installed 
on certain U.S. Ford vehicles as standard equipment (i.e. on all Ford 
Mustang GT and Cobra models, Ford Taurus LX, SHO and Sable LS models). 
In MY 1997, the immobilizer system was installed on the Ford Mustang 
vehicle line as standard equipment. When comparing 1995 model year 
Mustang vehicle thefts (without immobilizer), with MY 1997 Mustang 
vehicle thefts (with immobilizer), data from the National Insurance 
Crime Bureau showed a 70% reduction in theft. (Actual NCIC reported 
thefts were 500 for MY 1995 Mustang, and 149 thefts for MY 1997 
Mustang.) Mazda also provided additional data from the July 2000 
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) news release to support 
its belief in the reliability of its device. The IIHS news release 
showed an average theft reduction of about fifty percent for vehicles 
equipped with immobilizer systems.
    Based on the evidence submitted by Mazda, the agency believes that 
the antitheft device for the Mazda Tribute 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).
    In addressing the specific content requirements of 543.6, Mazda 
requested the agency to refer to the reliability and durability 
information submitted in Ford's June 5, 2002 letter to the agency 
regarding the identical device installed as standard equipment on the 
2003 Ford Th!nk City vehicle line.\1\ Ford 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.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ Reliability and durability data were submitted by Ford in 
support of its request pursuant to 49 CFR part 542, ``Procedures for 
Selecting Lines to be Covered by the Theft Prevention Standard''.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Mazda stated that the 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. 
Mazda also stated that the integration of the setting device 
(transponder) into the ignition key prevents any inadvertent activation 
of the system. Mazda stated that there are 18 quintillion possible 
codes making a successful key duplication virtually impossible.
    The agency also notes 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 
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 Mazda has provided adequate reasons for its belief that the 
antitheft device for the Mazda Tribute 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 Mazda 
provided about its device.
    For the foregoing reasons, the agency hereby grants in full Mazda's 
petition for exemption for the Tribute vehicle line from the parts-
marking requirements of 49 CFR part 541, beginning with the 2010 model 
year 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 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 Mazda 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 parts 541.5 
and 541.6 (marking of major component parts and replacement parts).
    NHTSA notes that if Mazda 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, Part 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.

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 33106; delegation of authority at 49 CFR 
1.50.

Stephen R. Kratzke,
Associate Administrator for Rulemaking.6
[FR Doc. E8-15914 Filed 7-11-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-59-P

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