New Auto Security System

Auto Security 
Noisemaking car alarms typically fall on deaf ears. "The next generation in auto security," says Scott Memmer, Technical Editor at Edmunds.com, "is tracking and retrieval. Companies such as Clifford, Alpine and General Motors have improved upon existing technology and greatly increased the odds of retrieving stolen vehicles." 

Clifford Electronics' system, called Mobile Trace 1 and available later this year, utilizes GPS technology to locate and track vehicles to within ten meters (40 feet). Alpine's Mobile Mayday^TM, already for sale in the U.S., serves as a GPS tracking device for theft recovery and can also aid a driver in distress. The touch of a button connects a stranded driver to a 24-hour On-Guard® Emergency Response Center. GM's OnStar, available as standard equipment on many GM vehicles (and soon to appear on select Toyota models), offers similar features. These services will be available for a monthly usage fee. 

"The wealth of options and features available on current and next generation automobiles are creating a more personalized driving experience," says John Clor, Detroit bureau editor for Edmunds.com. "The future of the industry, without a doubt, is an automobile lover's dream."