Motor vehicles are among the most reported property assets stolen in many Western countries. For example in the relatively small Australian market, the annual cost of vehicle theft as measured by the National Insurance Crime Bureau is close to US$1 billion.
In the USA, 1.2m vehicles are stolen annually at a cost of US$7.5 billion. South America is not spared. In Brazil alone, 10,000 vehicles are stolen every day.
Interpol estimates the total global cost to be US$19 billion and describes the illicit trafficking of motor vehicles as a well developed form of organised crime.
All this do not augur well for insurance companies.
The figures prove that professional thieves operate despite a large array of new vehicle security devices. Millions of cars are re-birthed and parts distributed throughout the world every year – despite advanced immobilizer systems, GPS tracking systems, and other technologies incorporated by manufacturers.
The DataDot DNA answer
DataDot DNA is a proven effective and low cost solution to the problem of auto theft. In fact, there is no other system that can match its success.
Motor vehicles are can be given a unique identifiable DNA with the technology. Between 1,000 and 10,000 DataDot DNA are applied per vehicle, all of them laser-etched with the unique Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) or a Personal Identification Number (PIN).
To make this application quick and cost effective, DataDot Technology Ltd has patented an innovative spray process. The process covers the key panels, engine, gearbox and other expensive parts with DataDot DNA in six minutes by hand or through an robotic process called DataDot Automation Application Cell (DAAC) in 60 secs. DAAC is available for automotive assembly lines or Pre-Delivery inspection centres.
The spray process can be used at the place of assembly, importation or in the aftermarket through dealers.
Because DataDot DNA may be applied into covert and hard to reach areas, and because various parts of the motor vehicle may be “DataDotted”, the solution is a great deterrent against theft and criminal use of the motor vehicle.
The Results speak for themselves
DataDot Technology Ltd has manufactured and supplied DataDot DNA solutions to major companies such as Nissan (USA), BMW (Australia), Subaru (Australia), Ford Performance Vehicles (Australia), Porsche (Australia), Holden Special Vehicles (GM Subsidiary, Australia), Audi (Australia), Isuzu (Asia), Avis (South Africa), Techmashimport (Russia), Mitsubishi (UK), and Volkswagen (Taiwan).
All of these manufacturers/importers have reported a considerable reduction in theft since they adopted the DataDot DNA system, even during the early days of their application.
BMW and Holden Special Vehicles have used DataDot DNA on some models in Australia since 2001. As of December 2004, data from the National Motor Vehicle Theft Reduction Council indicates that the rate of vehicles marked with DataDot DNA were being stolen and unrecovered is 64% and 75% less than the same brands’ unmarked vehicles were in similar time frames.
Similarly, Subaru started marking some of its models in December 2002 and has since experienced a 93% decline in the rate of stolen and unrecovered vehicles. Looking elsewhere in the world, Nissan North America have experienced a 65% reduction in component theft where DataDot DNA has been used.
Without a doubt, DataDot DNA increases the risk of arrest and prosecution of professional thieves so effectively that they would rather move onto an item that is unidentified. That is why DataDot DNA is increasinly being endorsed and supported by insurance companies, law enforcement agencies and other regulatory bodies in several countries.
Additionally, a number of insurance companies have reduced insurance premiums for DataDot DNA protected vehicles.