Petition for Exemption From the Federal Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention Standard; Porsche Cars North America, Inc.

AGENCY:

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

ACTION:

Grant of petition for exemption.

SUMMARY:

This document grants in full the Porsche Cars North America, Inc.'s (Porsche) petition for exemption of the 2020 model year Taycan vehicle line from the Federal Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention Standard (Theft Prevention Standard). 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 2020 model year (MY).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Ms. Carlita Ballard, Office of International Policy, Fuel Economy and Consumer Standards, 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:

In a petition dated November 6, 2018, Porsche requested an exemption from the parts-marking requirements of the Theft Prevention Standard for its Taycan 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, Porsche provided a detailed description and diagram of the identity, design, and location of the components of the antitheft device for its Porsche Taycan vehicle line. Porsche stated that the Taycan vehicle line will be installed with a passive antitheft device as standard equipment on the entire vehicle line. Porsche also stated that its vehicles will be installed with a keyless go system that will consists of two major subsystems: A microprocessor based immobilizer system that prevents the power unit from functioning when the system is engaged and a transmission control locking and alarm system. Key components of the antitheft device will include a passive immobilizer, electronic ignition switch, transponder key, remote control unit, alarm/central locking control unit, engine control unit, transmission control unit and an electronic parking brake. Porsche stated that it will offer a keyless entry system as an option for its Taycan vehicle line. Porsche also stated that its vehicle line will be installed with an audible and visible alarm as standard equipment. Additionally, Porsche stated that the central locking system works in conjunction with the audible and visible alarm by locking the doors with the ignition key or the remote control activating the audible and visible alarm. Porsche stated that an ultrasonic sensor in the alarm system will monitor the doors, rear luggage compartment, front deck lid, fuel filler door, and interior movement. The horn will sound and the lights will flash if there is any detection of unauthorized use.

Porsche stated that the immobilizer system cannot be disabled unless an original key sends the proper code to the immobilizer system instructing the engine management system via a code to begin functioning again. The immobilizer is automatically activated after the ignition is turned off from the dashboard control switch. The immobilizer then returns to its normal “off” state, where engine starting and transmission starting are not allowed. Starting the engine and operation of the vehicle will be allowed only when the correct code is sent to the control unit by using the correct key in the ignition switch, or by having the correct keyless entry key within the occupant compartment of the car. The ignition key contains a radio signal transponder, which signals the control unit to allow the engine to be started. With the keyless entry system, operation of the vehicle is allowed when the ignition key is substituted with the special key that contains a radio signal transmitter similar to the transponder in the standard ignition key.

Porsche'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, Porsche provided information on the reliability and durability of its proposed device. To ensure reliability and durability of the device, Porsche conducted tests based on its own specified standards. Porsche provided a detailed list of the tests conducted (i.e., extreme temperature tests, voltage spike tests, reverse polarity tests, electromagnetic interference tests, vibration test and endurance tests) and believes that the device is reliable and durable since the device complied with its specific requirements for each test. Additionally, Porsche stated that the antitheft device also features a built-in self-diagnostic that constantly checks for system failures. If a failure is detected, an alarm indicator will signal the driver.

Porsche further states that disablement of the immobilizer is virtually impossible. Disconnecting power to the antitheft device does not affect the operation of the device. Once the antitheft device is activated, the device stays activated until the correct key or optional keyless entry key is used to instruct the engine management system through the proper code to begin functioning again.

In further support of the reliability of its antitheft device, Porsche informed the agency that it will continue to use the “off-board” antitheft strategy that reduces the marketability of stolen electronic components and making the theft of vehicles unattractive. Specifically, Porsche stated that during the production of its vehicle, the initialization and registration of various antitheft electronic components are recorded in a central database. If the components have to be repaired or replaced, authorized access to the database must be obtained to receive authorization for the components. If authorized access to the central database is unavailable or the database indicates that the components are not authorized, further operation and use of the vehicle will be restricted or impossible to obtain.

Porsche stated that its central locking system works in conjunction with its audible and visible alarm. Locking the doors with the ignition key, the remote control or a door switch (with the keyless entry option) will also activate the audible and visible alarm. Porsche also stated that the immobilizer cannot be disabled by manipulation of the door locks or central-locking system because the locks/locking system are incapable of sending the code needed to disable the device.

As an additional feature, Porsche stated that it will also incorporate an electronically activated parking brake on the Taycan vehicle which is electronically activated and integrated into the vehicle's antitheft device. Porsche stated that if the control unit does not receive the correct code from the ignition key or keyless entry key, the parking brake will remain activated and the vehicle cannot be towed away.

Since the Porsche Taycan is a new vehicle line, there is currently no available theft rate data published by the agency for the vehicle line. However, Porsche provided data on the effectiveness of other similar antitheft devices that have been installed on its 911 and Boxster/Cayman vehicle lines in support of its belief that its proposed device will be at least as effective as those comparable devices previously granted exemptions by the agency. Porsche's data showed that the theft rate for the 911 and Boxster/Cayman vehicle lines remained consistently low over a three-year period. Using an average of 3 MYs' theft data (2012-2014), the theft rates for the Boxster/Cayman, Porsche 911 and Panamera vehicle lines are 0.4917, 0.6009 and 2.6518, respectively. Porsche stated that its off-board antitheft concept, similar in concept to parts-marking will further reduce the demand for stolen Porsche vehicle components. Based on the experience of these vehicle lines, Porsche has concluded that the antitheft device proposed for its Porsche Taycan vehicle line is no less effective than those devices in lines for which NHTSA has already granted full exemption from the parts-marking requirements.

Based on the supporting evidence submitted by Porsche, the agency believes that the antitheft device for the Taycan 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 Porsche has provided adequate reasons for its belief that the antitheft device for the Porsche Taycan 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 Porsche provided about its device.

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.

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 Porsche 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 Porsche 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.”

The agency wishes to minimize the administrative burden that Part 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 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.

For the foregoing reasons, the agency hereby grants in full Porsche's petition for exemption for the Porsche Taycan vehicle line from the parts-marking requirements of 49 CFR part 541, beginning with its model year (MY) 2020 vehicles.