Pre-installed car security is a boon

Car owners until now had to contact their dealers for installing car security solutions.

This scenario is set to change soon as leading auto security solutions providers such as Microtechnologies India and Autocop have initiated talks with leading car manufacturers such as Maruti, Tata Motors, Hyundai and Fiat to install security devices right at the assembly stage.

"Microtechnologies has begun talks with leading car and original equipment manufacturers to install Micro vehicle black box 'MicroVBB' during the assembling of a car. If everything goes well, customers will have the choice of buying a vehicle from the market already installed with Micro security solutions," said Mukund Gupta, head-operations, Microtechnologies India.

Around 70 per cent of the total 2.5 crore (Rs 25 million) four-wheelers in the country are protected with security solutions. Over 3 million four-wheelers are added to the existing numbers every year, according to Rajdatta Mane, regional manager, Autocop India.

Common security solutions available in the country today comprise remote control alarm system, gear locks, door security, bonnet security, ultrasonic motion detector, battery back-up siren and stereo security.

Normally a buyer has to shell out Rs 5,000-25,000 for installing security solutions in his car. The amount varies according to the brand and technology deployed. There are about 10 organised players and innumerable unorganised players offering security solutions in the country.

Microtechnologies India's micro vehicle black box 'MicroVBB' has messaging and anti-theft features with various sensors installed in the vehicle. This intelligent box senses any intrusion of vehicle doors and immediately communicates to the registered user's mobile through SMS.

"The black box will be installed in the vehicle, which is attached with a SIM card. An owner of a vehicle has to message from his mobile to the black box asking for queries such as what is the exact location of his vehicle, whether the vehicle is opened or not, if not then who is driving his vehicle, whether it is the assigned person or someone new," said Gupta.

Autocop has come up with perimetric, volumetric and audio system protection solutions with features such as battery back-up alarm. In addition, Autocop provide features such as hot wire protection and advanced immobilising system.