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 the Toyota Motor North America, Inc.'s, (Toyota) petition for an exemption of the Lexus RX 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 parts-marking 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 2017 model year (MY).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Ms. Carlita Ballard, 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 December 1, 2015, Toyota requested an exemption from the parts-marking requirements of the Theft Prevention Standard for the Lexus RX vehicle line beginning with MY 2017. 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 Lexus RX vehicle line. Toyota stated that its MY 2017 Lexus RX vehicle line and RX hybrid vehicle model (HV) will be installed with a “smart entry and start” system and an engine immobilizer device as standard equipment. Toyota further explained that the “smart entry and start” system on its Lexus RX vehicle line will have slightly different components than those on its RX HV model. Key components of the “smart entry and start” system on the Lexus RX vehicle line will include an engine immobilizer, a certification electronic control unit (ECU), engine switch, steering lock ECU, security indicator, door control receiver, electrical key, an electronic control module (ECM) and an ID code box. The key components installed on its RX HV model will also include a power switch and a power source HV-ECU. Toyota stated that it will also install an audible and visual alarm system on its Lexus RX vehicle line as standard equipment and that there will be position switches installed on the vehicle to protect the hood and doors from unauthorized tampering/opening. Toyota further explained locking of the doors can be accomplished through use of a conventional key, wireless switch incorporated within the keyfob or its smart entry system, and that unauthorized tampering with the hood or door without using one of these methods will cause the position switches to trigger the alarm system.

Toyota'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, Toyota provided information on the reliability and durability of its proposed device. To ensure reliability and durability of the device, Toyota conducted tests based on its own specified standards. Toyota provided a detailed list of the tests conducted (i.e., high and low temperature, strength, impact, vibration, electro-magnetic interference, etc.). Toyota stated that it believes that its device is reliable and durable because it complied with its own specific design standards and the antitheft device is installed on other vehicle lines for which the agency has granted a parts-marking exemption. Toyota stated that the antitheft device is already installed as standard equipment on its MY 2003 Lexus RX vehicle line and the MY 2006 RX HV model. The theft rate for the Toyota Lexus RX vehicle line using an average of three model years' data (MYs 2011-2013) is 0.3679, which is well below the 3.5826 median theft rate. As an additional measure of reliability and durability, Toyota stated that its vehicle key cylinders are covered with casting cases to prevent the key cylinder from easily being broken. Toyota further explained that the numerous key cylinder combinations and key plates it uses for its gutter keys would make it very difficult to unlock the doors without using a valid key. If a valid key is used, the key cylinders spin out and its locks will not work.

Toyota stated that its Lexus RX vehicles' “smart entry and start” system allows the driver to press the engine switch button located on the instrument panel to start the vehicle. Once the driver pushes the engine switch button, the certification ECU verifies the electrical key. When the key is verified, the certification ECU, ID code box and steering lock ECU receive confirmation of the valid key, and the certification ECU allows the ECM to start the engine. With the RX HV model “smart entry and start” system, once the driver pushes the power switch button, the certification ECU verifies the key, the certification ECU, ID code box and steering lock ECU receive confirmation of a valid key, and then the certification ECU will allow the ECM to start the vehicle.

Toyota stated that with its “smart entry and start” system, the immobilizer device is activated when the engine switch is pushed from the “ON” ignition status to any other ignition status, the certification ECU performs the calculation of the immobilizer and the immobilizer signals the ECM to activate the device. On the RX HV model, the “smart entry and start” system's immobilizer device is activated when the power switch is pushed from the “ON” ignition status to any other ignition status, the certification ECU performs the calculation of the immobilizer and the immobilizer signals the HV-ECU to activate the device. Deactivation of its smart key-installed systems occurs when the doors are unlocked and the device recognizes the key code. Deactivation of the conventional key system occurs when the door is unlocked and the key is turned to the “ON” position.

Toyota also compared its proposed device to other devices NHTSA has determined to be as effective in reducing and deterring motor vehicle theft as would compliance with the parts-marking requirements (i.e., Toyota Camry, Corolla, Prius, RAV4, Highlander, Sienna, Lexus LS, and Lexus GS vehicle lines) which have all been granted parts-marking exemptions by the agency. The theft rates for the Toyota Camry, Corolla, Prius, RAV4, Highlander, Sienna, Lexus LS, and Lexus GS vehicle lines using an average of three model years' data (2011-2013) are 1.3030, 1.3988, 0.2464, 0.4100, 0.4603, 0.5124, 0.4879 and 0.9116 respectively. Therefore, Toyota has concluded that the antitheft device proposed for its Lexus RX vehicle line is no less effective than those devices on the lines for which NHTSA has already granted full exemption from the parts-marking requirements. Toyota stated that it believes that installing the immobilizer as standard equipment reduces the theft rate and expects the Lexus RX vehicle line to experience comparable effectiveness, and ultimately be more effective than parts-marking labels.

Based on the supporting evidence submitted by Toyota on its device, the agency believes that the antitheft device for the Lexus RX 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). 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.

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 Toyota has provided adequate reasons for its belief that the antitheft device for the Toyota Lexus RX 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 Toyota provided about its device.

For the foregoing reasons, the agency hereby grants in full Toyota's petition for exemption for the Toyota Lexus RX 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 Toyota decides not to use the exemption for this line, it should 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 Toyota 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 543.9(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.