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Audi Australia has increased the security of its entire vehicle range this month
with the adoption of DataDot microdot identification.
All new Audi models will now carry DataDot VIN-based microdots, following its
successful implementation in October last year on all A6 and A8 models.
All Audi models feature high levels of active and passive safety, however
vehicle security is also becoming increasingly important during customer
purchase consideration, says Audi’s managing director, Joerg Hofmann.
“The safety of our customers is extremely important. Not only from an
occupant protection perspective, but also in terms of vehicle security, giving
our drivers peace of mind that their vehicle is hard to steal,” Mr Hofmann said.
For this reason, numerous vehicle safety and security features including
DataDot microdot identification are now standard specification across the Audi
range, including deadlocks on all doors, speed-activated central locking, safety
central locking (two-stage unlocking) and an engine immobiliser system.
All Audi vehicles are delivered to customers with the automatic activation of
the company’s speed-sensitive central security locking system which is
automatically engaged at 15 km/h and remains locked until the key is removed
from the ignition.
Similarly, the company’s safety central locking system is automatically
programmed on all new vehicles. Pressing the ‘unlock’ button of the key once
will disengage the driver’s side door lock, however to open all passenger doors
and the boot requires the driver to press the ‘unlock’ button twice within a 5
second cycle. This feature is designed to prevent access to the vehicle through
passenger doors by uninvited third parties and to prevent access to any secure
items within the boot. It can also be de-programmed as desired.
The security rating of all Audi models is now expected to increase
significantly with the introduction of the DataDot VIN based system comprising
of thousands of tiny microdots imprinted with the vehicle’s unique seventeen
digit Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).
“The insurance industry is specifically concerned with three main areas of
vehicle security including ease of entry to the car, vehicle immobilisation
systems and vehicle identification,” Mr Hofmann said.
“Our cars feature excellent deterrents to entry and standard engine
immobilisers, however now with the adoption of DataDots across the entire Audi
range, we can now assure both the insurance industry and our customers that our
cars are even more secure,” he added.
Virtually invisible to the naked eye, DataDots are sprayed onto major
components throughout the car, including the compliance plate, using a clear
water-based adhesive that contains a UV trace.
When illuminated with a simple black light the adhesive produces a visible
glow that indicates the areas where dots can be located. Using an inexpensive
magnifier, authorities can read any one of the thousands of dots on the vehicle
to establish its true identity.
The pervasive coverage and size of the dots makes it impossible for thieves
to remove all of the microdots, according to the National Motor Vehicle Theft
Reduction Council (NMVTRC).
Microdot technology has set a new world-leading standard in vehicle
identification that makes it virtually impossible to change a vehicle’s unique
vehicle identification number (VIN) and provides authorities with conclusive
evidence of its true identity.
The NMVTRC maintains that the strategy is clear and simple. By removing the
professional thief’s ability to safely convert the vehicle to cash, effectively
takes away the motivation to steal the vehicle.
In 2004, when DataDot ID was introduced on the Audi A6, this model achieved
the highest possible score for vehicle security in Australia, according to the
Insurance Australia Group (IAG), effectively securing its position as the
hardest luxury vehicle to steal.
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