Automotive Blog

According to the FBI, in 2005 a car or truck was stolen in the United States every 25 seconds — 1.2 million purloined vehicles worth $7.6 billion. (Add to that another $1 billion in personal belonging like iPods and laptops.)

Experts recommend that new car buyers look for models with engine immobilizers, preferably those with a computer chip in the vehicle’s key. Existing car owners with no security devices should consider:

- visible steering-wheel locks like The Club from Winner International
- add-on alarms and engine immobilizers (like units that require a second key before the car will start)
- services like Lojack and OnStar.

Automotive security products are growing more aggressive and innovative in the face of this national problem. Direct Electronics, which manufacturer vehicle security and tracking systems under the brand names Clifford, Viper, and Python, for instance, has a new 2-way responder system with a one-mile range. The car owner can start the vehicle or remotely arm its security system from a key chain remote, which also vibrates or beeps to alert the owner when the alarm has been triggered. (These systems are priced from approximately $560.)

For more information on security for your auto see: Tech Gadgets to Keep Car Thieves at Bay from The Mercury News.

Posted on February 26th, 2007 by Shorty
Filed under: technology |

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