Fiat Ducato will text if broken into
There is a lot of technology on the modern van, particularly in the area of ‘connected services’ and perhaps one little known feature is the ability of the recently launched New Ducato and all-electric E-Ducato will send a text to the vehicle owner if a thief is trying to break into their van.
According to recent figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) revealed that 92,929 vehicles are stolen in England and Wales every year, that’s 255 a day and nearly two every 12 minutes – the new feature will give owners added peace of mind.
The ‘Theft Assistance’ system on the Ducato and eDucato detects when someone is trying to break into a vehicle, tow it without authorisation or disconnect the battery and should any of these take place the owner receives assistance from a ‘my:Assistant’ operator. There’s also the option of receiving an email, a push notification in the Mopar® connected mobile app or phone call.
Having reported the theft, the operator will provide the GPS coordinates and will immobilise the engine when the vehicle stops to facilitate recovery. Much like the ‘Find My Phone’ feature available on most smartphones, a vehicle tracking function will be triggered and the vehicle’s ignition locked.
Additional tips for making your vehicle less attractive to thieves
- No matter how short the stop off, always lock your van when unattended – it may sound obvious, but it can be the difference between receiving an insurance pay-out or not.
- Park smart – isolated vans are an easier target so park near other cars if you can. Ideally park where there’s CCTV and against a wall or fence so you don’t expose the rear or side doors.
- Use a steering lock to deter thieves.
- Be careful not to advertise what might be inside your van – where your van contains expensive equipment, it may be wise to have an unmarked van.
- Ensure the lights flash and doors have locked when leaving your van unattended.
- Refrain from leaving objects such as bags, clothes, portable navigation units and mobile phones on display.
- When in slow-moving traffic, lock your windows and doors to deter opportunist thieves.
- Keep an inventory of the cargo and tools you carry, keep the receipts of expensive items, and get them security marked. In the worst case scenario that your van has been broken into, it will make it easier to make an insurance claim, or reclaim your goods should they be recovered by police.
Owners can benefit from the next generation of connected services and the latest security features that Fiat Professional has to offer by downloading the free My Uconnect mobile app – available on Apple and Android devices. Alternatively, the connected services can be accessed from within the cabin.
Some of these additional standout features include:
- Crash Assistance: provides help 24 hours a day
- Roadside Assistance: if there is a problem with your vehicle, a my:Assistant operator will request roadside assistance to your location
- My Navigation: Enabling drivers to search for the nearest car park or charging station
- Remote Operations: Owners can lock and unlock the vehicle’s doors and activate the lights via their phone
- My:eCharge: available on e-Ducato package, allows you to find, use, pay and track recharges at public charging stations (easy Charge), as well as being able to manage charging with a Connected Wallbox
