SBD has taken a look at some of the vehicle tracking devices on the market in the UK and Europe to establish if they are the solution needed and whether telematics are worth the cost. SBD wants to ensure that all vehicle tracking systems will have the technology needed to be worth the purchase price for users. They are also taking a look to make sure the devices are what the insurance company’s desire in protecting vehicles on the road. SBD really wants to establish a pan- European company to have one system track vehicles that are located in the UK and Europe, and if they move.
Security consultants and other personnel have been asked to look at the telematics to determine where there may be potential issues and where some areas can be adapted for better technology. They are also working on OE tracking systems that can be placed in cars at the manufacturers. The E is going to stand for emergency, allowing for calls to be made from the vehicles when needed. These systems are supposed to be implemented by 2009 on all European Commission vehicles.
These systems are still going to use the GPS technology. The manufacturers of these systems will have to change a few things in order to meet the insurance demands though. For example the devices will need to be hidden in a secure location and they will need a secondary battery supply to thwart even the best of thieves. Volvo and BMW are two companies that are having a hard time updating their system because they already offer a product with decent software, but the hardware won’t support new software.
SBD announced their findings regarding their recent study. They determined that some of the companies in the UK and Europe have different standards, which will make the transition a difficult one to meet the new standards. The vehicle tracking options may all be able to receive the telematics portion of the technology, but there may still be a delay in 2009.
Tracker is one of the most notable companies right now with vehicle tracking options. They offer SVT and have done so since 1990. They built a system based on radio frequencies rather than GPS to help police recover stolen vehicles. The catch is police cars needed to be fitted with special equipment.
Insurance companies have also found Thatcham to be a decent system with their Cat 5 released in 2004. The system calls for all employees to be screened and monitor vehicles. Whenever they receive an alert they are to notify the police. Unfortunately the Cat 5 will need a lot of improvements in order to make it ready for 2009 at the new needs the insurance companies are requiring. They don’t yet have the GPS standards needed. The company is working on fixing these issues to get their systems online.
Belgium, The Netherlands, and Norway have already posted insurance standards requiring changes to systems. All high valued cars will be required to have the technology because they are considered a higher risk target. France and Italy has also released some standards for changes.
Most vehicle tracking systems are purchased as aftermarket technology rather than from the dealer, but more and more car companies are starting to offer dealer products and sales have increased. Marketing is considered responsible for this change in sales. The drawback is that the systems can be rather expensive from the dealers and many people don’t want to have to pay that high price.
SBD stated that SVT is not the top choice when it comes to insurance companies. However, they may change their mind if the systems are more of a standalone option not requiring a service provider.
