Vehicles: key information access.

Existing law imposes various requirements upon manufacturers of motor vehicles sold or leased in this state with regard to disclosing information and providing equipment. Existing law requires a motor vehicle manufacturer of a new motor vehicle sold or leased in this state on or after January 1, 2008, except as specified, to provide a means whereby the registered owner of that motor vehicle or a family member, through a registered locksmith, can access information, and only that information, that is necessary to permit the production of a replacement key or other functionally similar device, by a registered locksmith, that will allow the registered vehicle's owner or family member to enter, start, and operate the vehicle. Existing law exempts, until January 1, 2013, from this requirement a vehicle line of a motor vehicle manufacturer that on January 1, 2006, does not provide for the production of a replacement key or functionally similar device that allows the vehicle to be entered and operated by anyone other than the vehicle manufacturer if the manufacturer operates a telephone or electronic request line for requesting a replacement key or similar device, as described. This bill would make that exemption operative indefinitely.