IBC wants rethink of immobilizer regulation

The Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) says the proposed new regulations on electronic vehicle immobilizers announced today does not go quite far enough.
Transport Canada has proposed regulations which would require passenger car and light-duty truck manufacturers to include electronic immobilizers as standard equipment on all vehicles sold in Canada by September 1, 2007. However, the IBC wants Transport Minister Jean Lapierre to review the portion of the regulations which would allow manufacturers to choose between the Canadian standard on immobilizers, or the “considerably weaker” European standard.
For example, the European standard would permit systems which rely on “easily-changed” computer modules which thieves can bypass, while the Canadian standard has strict requirements on computer modules.
“While we support the adoption of immobilizers for new vehicles, we are disappointed that the federal government is effectively saying that a demonstrably inferior European standard is equal to a proven and effective Canadian standard,” says Bill Cameron, national director, auto theft for the IBC. “IBC has demonstrated that vehicles with immobilizers meeting the Canadian standard reduce theft frequency by approximately 50%.”
The IBC has promoted the Canadian standard to manufacturers and notes that in 2003, at least 60% of new vehicles sold included compliant systems, and overall 15% of vehicles currently on the road have systems which comply.
The IBC also notes the Transport Canada requirements apply only to new vehicles, not the installation of aftermarket devices on older cars in essence, this means a weaker standard for newer vehicles, the IBC says.