New Fiat Professional feature texts Ducato drivers if their van is stolen as statistics reveal over 250 vehicle thefts a day in England and Wales

December 7, 2021 by FIAT Professional

• E-Ducato and Ducato van owners will receive a text alert if their van is broken into

•Latest figures from Office for National Statistics (ONS) released this month shows more than 250 vehicles are stolen every day in England and Wales

•Innovative security feature notifies drivers when individuals attempt to break into the van, or if the vehicle is being towed without authorisation

•Theft Assistance operator assistants will provide the GPS coordinates and will immobilise the engine when the vehicle stops to facilitate recovery

•Technology, recently launched in the UK, also enables police to track the whereabouts of the vehicle

The recently launched New Ducato and all-electric E-Ducato will send a text to the vehicle owner if a thief is trying to break into their van.

With recent figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) revealing 92,929 vehicles are stolen in England and Wales every year – that's 255 a day and nearly two every 12 minutes1 – the new feature will give owners added peace of mind.

Fiat Professional's Theft Assistance detects when someone is trying to break into a vehicle, tow it without authorisation or disconnect the battery. If any of these are detected, the owner receives assistance from a 'my:Assistant' operator.

Customers also have the option of receiving an email, a push notification in the Mopar® connected mobile app or phone call.

Having reported the theft, the operator will provide the GPS coordinates and will immobilise the engine when the vehicle stops to facilitate recovery. Much like the 'Find My Phone' feature available on most smartphones, a vehicle tracking function will be triggered and the vehicle's ignition locked.

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Richard Chamberlain, Managing Director of Fiat Professional said: '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. 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.'

Additional tips for making your vehicle less attractive to thieves

1.No matter how short the stop off, always lock your van when unattended – it may sound obvious, but it can be the difference between receiving an insurance pay-out or not.

2.Park smart - isolated vans are an easier target so park near other cars if you can. Ideally park where there's CCTV and against a wall or fence so you don't expose the rear or side doors.

3.Use a steering lock to deter thieves.

4.Be careful not to advertise what might be inside your van – where your van contains expensive equipment, it may be wise to have an unmarked van.

5.Ensure the lights flash and doors have locked when leaving your van unattended.

6.Refrain from leaving objects such as bags, clothes, portable navigation units and mobile phones on display.

7.When in slow-moving traffic, lock your windows and doors to deter opportunist thieves.

8.Keep an inventory of the cargo and tools you carry, keep the receipts of expensive items, and get them security marked. In the worst case scenario that your van has been broken into, it will make it easier to make an insurance claim, or reclaim your goods should they be recovered by police.

Owners can benefit from the next generation of connected services and the latest security features that Fiat Professional has to offer by downloading the free My Uconnect mobile app – available on Apple and Android devices. Alternatively, the connected services can be accessed from within the cabin.

Some of these additional standout features include:

•Crash Assistance: provides help 24 hours a day

•Roadside Assistance: if there is a problem with your vehicle, a my:Assistant operator will request roadside assistance to your location

•My Navigation: Enabling drivers to search for the nearest car park or charging station

•Remote Operations: Owners can lock and unlock the vehicle's doors and activate the lights via their phone

•My:eCharge: available on e-Ducato package, allows you to find, use, pay and track recharges at public charging stations (easy Charge), as well as being able to manage charging with a Connected Wallbox

To find out more please visit: https://www.fiatprofessional.com/uk/mopar/connected-services