Having your van stolen is a nightmare scenario, but Fiat’s new Ducato and electric E-Ducato comes with an array of high-tech security features - including the ability to send the owner a text message if a thief is trying to gain access.
Statistics from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show that there were 92,929 vehicles stolen in England and Wales in the 12 months up to June 2021 - that’s 255 a day, or one every five minutes and 40 seconds.
Fiat Professional’s Theft Assistance systems work to detect any attempted break into a vehicle, or if somebody is trying to tow the vehicle without authorisation. It will even react to a crook disconnecting the battery in an effort to disrupt the vehicle’s protection.
An alert goes through to one of Fiat’s ‘my:Assistant’ operators who will be able to provide the GPS coordinates of the vehicle and immobilise the engine once the vehicle stops. That should make recovery easier.
Much like a smartphone’s ‘Find My Phone’ facility, the Fiat Ducato and E-Ducato include a tracking function that will be triggered, with the vehicle’s ignition locked to prevent the vehicle from being restarted.
Customers also have the option of receiving an email, a push notification in the Mopar mobile app or a phone call alerting them to the situation.
“Knowing a vehicle is stolen roughly every 10 minutes in England and Wales is a cause for concern and an experience that owners will be looking to avoid at all costs,”
Says Richard Chamberlain, managing director of Fiat Professional.
“The innovative theft assistance technology will undoubtedly give both current and future owners of the Ducato and E-Ducato peace of mind that their van and possessions are in the safest possible hands.”
On top of the standard security equipment, those leasing a new Fiat Ducato will also benefit from roadside assistance and, should the worst happen, crash assistance. Connected navigation includes up to date information about parking locations and, on the all-electric E-Ducato, suitable charging points.
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