Jaguar Land Rover Tech to Prevent Keyless Theft
In the ever-evolving landscape of automotive security, Jaguar Land Rover (JLR), a revered British brand under the wing of Indian giant Tata, is making headlines with its bold move to invest £10 million in retrofitting older models with state-of-the-art security technology. The initiative is a proactive response to the alarming rise in keyless car thefts, a method increasingly employed by organised criminals to make off with high-value vehicles.
Jaguar Land Rover's Proactive Approach
Keyless Car Crime
Keyless car crime has become a prevalent tactic, prompting JLR to fortify its commitment to vehicle security. Particularly, the Range Rover and Range Rover Sport models have found themselves among the most targeted, featuring prominently in the list of the most-stolen vehicles in the UK.
Cutting-Edge Technology
In an effort to counter this trend, JLR is set to upgrade security systems in older models dating back to 2018, rendering them less susceptible to keyless thefts. The technology behind this security upgrade is cutting-edge, designed to create a virtual barrier against breaches of the keyless entry system. JLR's latest anti-theft systems, implemented in vehicles manufactured from 2022 onwards, have proven significantly more resilient, with only 0.07% of new Range Rovers and Range Rover Sports being stolen since January last year.
Implementing Enhanced Security Measures
Free-of-Charge Retrofitting
Crucially, the security update comes at no cost to owners, exemplifying JLR's dedication to customer protection. The retrofitting will be carried out by JLR's dealer network through a software fix to the existing Body Control Module (BCM), preventing thieves from driving away without the key. The update includes the latest development of Ultra-Wide Band (UWB) protection, countering high-tech attacks where criminals intercept signals between the vehicle and key to unlock it.
Collaboration with Thatcham Research
JLR, in collaboration with Thatcham Research, has been at the forefront of developing and implementing these advanced security measures. The company has already retrofitted approximately 65,000 older vehicles with the security update and is actively reaching out to owners to take advantage of this complimentary enhancement.
The Range Rover and Land Rover Discovery, known for their high resale value, have been prime targets for criminals, contributing to the spike in motor premiums. JLR's initiative aligns with its goal of not only protecting its clients but also supporting criminal investigations and deploying effective anti-theft measures.