Petition for Exemption From the Federal Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention Standard; American Honda Motor Co., Inc. |
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Topics: Acura RDX
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Raymond R. Posten
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
26 August 2021
[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 163 (Thursday, August 26, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 47731-47734]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-18419]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Petition for Exemption From the Federal Motor Vehicle Theft
Prevention Standard; American Honda Motor Co., Inc.
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 American Honda Motor Co.,
Inc.'s (Honda) petition for exemption from the Federal Motor Vehicle
Theft Prevention Standard (theft prevention standard) for its Acura RDX
vehicle line beginning in model year (MY) 2022. The 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
the 2022 model year.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Carlita Ballard, Office of
International Policy, Fuel Economy, and Consumer Programs, NHTSA, West
Building, W43-439, NRM-310, 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: Under 49 U.S.C. chapter 331, the Secretary
of Transportation (and the National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration (NHTSA) by delegation) is required to promulgate a theft
prevention standard to provide for the identification of certain motor
vehicles and their major replacement parts to impede motor vehicle
theft. NHTSA promulgated regulations at 49 CFR part 541 (theft
prevention standard) to require parts-
[[Page 47732]]
marking for specified passenger motor vehicles and light trucks.
Pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 33106, manufacturers that are subject to the
parts-marking requirements may petition the Secretary of Transportation
for an exemption for a line of passenger motor vehicles equipped with
an antitheft device as standard equipment that the Secretary decides is
likely to be as effective in reducing and deterring motor vehicle theft
as compliance with the parts-marking requirements. In accordance with
this statute, NHTSA promulgated 49 CFR part 543, which establishes the
process through which manufacturers may seek an exemption from the
theft prevention standard.
49 CFR 543.5 provides general submission requirements for petitions
and states that each manufacturer may petition NHTSA for an exemption
of one vehicle line per model year. Among other requirements,
manufacturers must identify whether the exemption is sought under
section 543.6 or section 543.7. Under section 543.6, a manufacturer may
request an exemption by providing specific information about the
antitheft device, its capabilities, and the reasons the petitioner
believes the device to be as effective at reducing and deterring theft
as compliance with the parts-marking requirements. Section 543.7
permits a manufacturer to request an exemption under a more streamlined
process if the vehicle line is equipped with an antitheft device (an
``immobilizer'') as standard equipment that complies with one of the
standards specified in that section.\1\
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\1\ 49 CFR 543.7 specifies that the manufacturer must include a
statement that their entire vehicle line is equipped with an
immobilizer that meets one of the following standards:
(1) The performance criteria (subsections 8 through 21) of
C.R.C, c. 1038.114, Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention (in
effect March 30, 2011), as excerpted in appendix A of [part 543];
(2) National Standard of Canada CAN/ULC-S338-98, Automobile
Theft Deterrent Equipment and Systems: Electronic Immobilization
(May 1998);
(3) United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UN/ECE)
Regulation No. 97 (ECE R97), Uniform Provisions Concerning Approval
of Vehicle Alarm System (VAS) and Motor Vehicles with Regard to
Their Alarm System (AS) in effect August 8, 2007; or
(4) UN/ECE Regulation No. 116 (ECE R116), Uniform Technical
Prescriptions Concerning the Protection of Motor Vehicles Against
Unauthorized Use in effect on February 10, 2009.
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Section 543.8 establishes requirements for processing petitions for
exemption from the theft prevention standard. As stated in section
543.8(a), NHTSA processes any complete exemption petition. If NHTSA
receives an incomplete petition, NHTSA will notify the petitioner of
the deficiencies. Once NHTSA receives a complete petition the agency
will process it and, in accordance with section 543.8(b), will grant
the petition 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.
Section 543.8(c) requires NHTSA to issue its decision either to
grant or to deny an exemption petition not later than 120 days after
the date on which a complete petition is filed. If NHTSA does not make
a decision within the 120-day period, the petition shall be deemed to
be approved and the manufacturer shall be exempt from the standard for
the line covered by the petition for the subsequent model year.\2\
Exemptions granted under part 543 apply only to the vehicle line or
lines that are subject to the grant and that are equipped with the
antitheft device on which the line's exemption was based, and are
effective for the model year beginning after the model year in which
NHTSA issues the notice of exemption, unless the notice of exemption
specifies a later year.
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\2\ 49 U.S.C. 33106(d).
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Sections 543.8(f) and (g) apply to the manner in which NHTSA's
decisions on petitions are to be made known. Under section 543.8(f), if
the petition is sought under section 543.6, NHTSA publishes a notice of
its decision to grant or deny the exemption petition in the Federal
Register and notifies the petitioner in writing. Under section
543.8(g), if the petition is sought under section 543.7, NHTSA notifies
the petitioner in writing of the agency's decision to grant or deny the
exemption petition.
This grant of petition for exemption considers American Honda Motor
Co., Inc.'s (Honda) petition for its Acura RDX vehicle line beginning
in MY 2022.
I. Specific Petition Content Requirements Under 49 CFR 543.6
Pursuant to 49 CFR part 543, Exemption from Vehicle Theft
Prevention, Honda petitioned for an exemption for its specified vehicle
line from the parts-marking requirements of the theft prevention
standard, beginning in MY 2022. Honda petitioned under 49 CFR 543.6,
Petition: Specific content requirements, which, as described above,
requires manufacturers to provide specific information about the
antitheft device installed as standard equipment on all vehicles in the
line for which an exemption is sought, the antitheft device's
capabilities, and the reasons the petitioner believes the device to be
as effective at reducing and deterring theft as compliance with the
parts-marking requirements.
More specifically, section 543.6(a)(1) requires petitions to
include a statement that an antitheft device will be installed as
standard equipment on all vehicles in the line for which the exemption
is sought. Under section 543.6(a)(2), each petition must list each
component in the antitheft system, and include a diagram showing the
location of each of those components within the vehicle. As required by
section 543.6(a)(3), each petition must include an explanation of the
means and process by which the device is activated and functions,
including any aspect of the device designed to: (1) Facilitate or
encourage its activation by motorists; (2) attract attention to the
efforts of an unauthorized person to enter or move a vehicle by means
other than a key; (3) prevent defeating or circumventing the device by
an unauthorized person attempting to enter a vehicle by means other
than a key; (4) prevent the operation of a vehicle which an
unauthorized person has entered using means other than a key; and (5)
ensure the reliability and durability of the device.\3\
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\3\ 49 CFR 543.6(a)(3).
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In addition to providing information about the antitheft device and
its functionality, petitioners must also submit the reasons for their
belief that the antitheft device will be effective in reducing and
deterring motor vehicle theft, including any theft data and other data
that are available to the petitioner and form a basis for that
belief,\4\ and the reasons for their belief that the agency should
determine that the antitheft device is likely to be as effective as
compliance with the parts-marking requirements of part 541 in reducing
and deterring motor vehicle theft. In support of this belief, the
petitioners should include any statistical data that are available to
the petitioner and form the basis for the petitioner's belief that a
line of passenger motor vehicles equipped with the antitheft device is
likely to have a theft rate equal to or less than that of passenger
motor vehicles of the same, or a similar line which have parts marked
in compliance with part 541.\5\
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\4\ 49 CFR 543.6(a)(4).
\5\ 49 CFR 543.6(a)(5).
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The following sections describe Honda's petition information
provided pursuant to 49 CFR part 543, Exemption from Vehicle Theft
Prevention. To the extent that specific information in Honda's petition
is subject to a properly filed confidentiality request, that
[[Page 47733]]
information was not disclosed as part of this notice.\6\
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\6\ 49 CFR 512.20(a).
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II. Honda's Petition for Exemption
In a petition dated January 12, 2021, as supplemented with
additional information submitted on June 22, 2021,\7\ Honda requested
an exemption from the parts-marking requirements of the theft
prevention standard for the Acura RDX vehicle line beginning with MY
2022.
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\7\ As discussed above, per 49 CFR 543.8(a), NHTSA processes the
petition once the manufacturer submits all the information required
by 49 CFR part 543.
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In its petition, Honda provided a detailed description and diagram
of the identity, design, and location of the components of the
antitheft device for the Acura RDX vehicle line. Honda stated that its
MY 2022 Acura RDX vehicle line will be installed with an engine
immobilizer device as standard equipment, as required by 543.6(a)(1).
Honda stated that it will offer a ``smart entry remote'' (keyless key)
system on its vehicle line. Honda also stated that the Acura RDX
vehicle line will offer two types of remotes, one with remote engine
start and one without remote start. Key components of the ``smart entry
remote'' system will include a passive immobilizer, ``smart entry''
remote, powertrain control module (PCM), and body control module (BCM).
Honda further stated that its vehicle line will be installed with a
vehicle security alarm system as standard equipment which will activate
a visible and audible alarm whenever unauthorized access is attempted.
Pursuant to Section 543.6(a)(3), Honda explained that its ``smart
entry and start'' system is part of the normal operation of the
ignition key and activates automatically when the ignition switch is in
the ``OFF'' position. Honda further explained that if a smart entry
remote without a matching code is within operating range and the engine
start/stop button is pressed, the PCM will prevent fueling of the
engine and the engine will not start. Honda also stated that the
immobilizer system is deactivated when a valid smart entry remote and
matching codes are verified, allowing the engine to continue normal
operations. Honda further stated that the security indicator flashes
continuously when the immobilizer is activated, and turns off when it
is deactivated.
Honda stated that the audible and visible vehicle security alarm
system installed on its Acura RDX vehicles will monitor any attempts of
unauthorized entry and attract attention to an unauthorized person
attempting to enter its vehicles without the use of a ``smart entry''
remote or its built-in mechanical door key. Specifically, Honda stated
that whenever an attempt is made to open one of its vehicle doors, hood
or trunk without using the ``smart entry'' remote or turning a key in
the key cylinder to disarm the vehicle, the vehicle's horn will sound
and its lights will flash. Honda stated that its vehicle security
system is activated when all of the doors are locked and the hood and
trunk are closed and locked. Honda further stated that its vehicle
security system is deactivated by using the key fob buttons to unlock
the vehicle doors or having the ``smart entry'' remote within operating
range when the operator grabs either of the vehicle's front door
handles.
Honda also stated that in addition to the standard security system
on all 2022 MY Acura RDX models, additional security features include
counterfeit resistant vehicle identification number (VIN) plates,
secondary VINs, a hood release located inside the vehicle, and its
smart entry remote will utilize rolling codes for the lock and unlock
functions of its vehicles.
As required in section 543.6(a)(3)(v), Honda provided information
on the reliability and durability of its proposed device. To ensure
reliability and durability of the device, Honda provided a list of
requirements for the characteristics and durability testing along with
its results. Honda stated that its device does not require the presence
of a ``smart entry'' remote battery to function nor does it have any
moving parts (i.e., the PCM, BCM, ``smart entry'' remote and the
corresponding electrical components found within its own housing
units), which it believes reduces the chance for deterioration and wear
from normal use.
Honda believes that installation of the antitheft immobilizer
device as standard equipment reduces the vehicle theft rate by making
conventional methods of theft obsolete, i.e., punching out the steering
column or hot-wiring the ignition. Additionally, Honda stated that the
proposed immobilizer system was first installed on its MY 2007 Acura
RDX as standard equipment which was the first year of its introduction.
Honda referenced NHTSA's theft rate information for the Acura RDX
showing theft rates for MYs 2007-2014 were below the theft rate median.
Also, Honda stated that its proposed immobilizer system is similar to
the design offered on its Lexus RX vehicles which have been granted an
exemption by the agency. Honda also referenced NHTSA's theft rate
information for its Lexus RX showing theft rates for MYs 2012-2014 that
were below the theft rate median.
III. Decision To Grant the Petition
Pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 33106 and 49 CFR 543.8(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 Honda has provided adequate reasons for its belief that the
antitheft device for its 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. This
conclusion is based on the information Honda provided about its
antitheft device. NHTSA believes, based on Honda's supporting evidence,
the antitheft device described for its 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.
The agency concludes that Honda's antitheft device will provide the
five types of performance features listed in section 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.
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 543.8(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 Honda decides not to use the exemption for its requested vehicle
line, the manufacturer must formally notify the agency. If such a
decision is made, the line must be fully marked as required by 49 CFR
541.5 and 541.6
[[Page 47734]]
(marking of major component parts and replacement parts).
NHTSA notes that if Honda 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. Section 543.8(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, section 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 the exemption.''
The agency wishes to minimize the administrative burden that
section 543.10(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
Honda 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.
For the foregoing reasons, the agency hereby grants in full Honda's
petition for exemption for the Acura RDX vehicle line from the parts-
marking requirements of 49 CFR part 541, beginning with its MY 2022
vehicles.
Issued under authority delegated in 49 CFR 1.95 and 501.8.
Raymond R. Posten,
Associate Administrator for Rulemaking.
[FR Doc. 2021-18419 Filed 8-25-21; 8:45 am]
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