§33104 Designation of High Theft Vehicle Lines and Parts

Summary

It says how the Transportation Secretary picks vehicle lines and major parts that must meet an anti‑theft rule. A line is treated as high‑theft if its theft rate in 1990–1991 was higher than the median for all new passenger car thefts in that period. The rule can also cover models introduced after December 31, 1989 that are likely to be above that median, and parts that are interchangeable with parts on those high‑theft lines even if the model itself is below the median. The rule won’t apply to those interchangeable parts if the below‑median lines that share them make up more than 90% of the total annual production of all lines with those parts. The manufacturer and the Secretary may agree on which lines and parts are covered. If they disagree, the Secretary decides after notice, a chance to comment, and keeping information confidential. Selections should be made at least 6 months before the first model year they apply to, and manufacturers cannot be forced to comply for a model year that begins less than 6 months after the selection. A line already under parts‑marking rules on October 25, 1992 stays covered unless a legal exemption applies, and a line once made subject generally cannot be removed from the rule except by that exemption. Key defined items: "new passenger motor vehicle thefts" = thefts in a calendar year of cars labeled with that model year; "theft rate" = number of those thefts in 1990–1991 divided by that line’s U.S. production for model years 1990 and 1991 (EPA‑reported); "median theft rate" = the middle theft rate among all lines (or the average of the two middle rates if there is an even number). The Secretary must work with the FBI to get theft and recovery data from reliable sources, publish it for comment, try to improve its accuracy (including confirming reported thefts), and may update the median no more often than once every 2 years. Manufacturers must give any information needed for these choices.