Jaguar Land Rover thefts down as company boosts vehicle security
Wed, 22 Nov 2023
Thefts of new Jaguar Land Rover models have dropped since 2022 following a £10m investment in vehicle security technology.
It follows the recent news that Range Rover models remain the cars most targeted by thieves with overall vehicle theft up 40% in the first half of 2023 alone.
Jaguar Land Rover statistics show that its investment is clearly working with its newer vehicles more resilient to theft attempts.
Since January 2022, only 0.07% of newly manufactured Range Rover and Range Rover Sport models have been stolen. Similarly, the theft rate for new Land Rover Defenders since 2020 stands at just 0.3%.
More than 65,000 eligible vehicles from 2018 onwards have been equipped with enhanced security measures, cutting thefts of Range Rover and Range Rover Sport models built between 2018 and 2022 by over 40%.
"Our investment demonstrates our ongoing commitment to tackling this issue and ensuring our clients have a secure ownership experience," says Patrick McGillycuddy, Managing Director of JLR UK, who highlights the company's commitment to addressing vehicle theft concerns:
Changes include updates to the Body Control Module (BCM), a crucial element that prevents thieves from driving away with a vehicle without the key. Previous vulnerabilities in keyless entry systems have been addressed through embedded technology updates, thwarting potential hacking attempts.
The introduction of Ultra-Wide Band (UWB) protection in 2018 marked a significant milestone in counteracting relay attacks, a method used by criminals to intercept signals between the vehicle and key to unlock cars.
Vehicles equipped with this technology remain impervious to such attacks, eliminating the need to store keys in faraday pouches.
JLR emphasizes the use of available measures to safeguard vehicles, including their Jaguar and Land Rover ‘Remote’ apps. These apps provide access to various security features such as vehicle lock reminders and ‘Guardian Mode,’ which monitors the vehicle and alerts owners of any unauthorized interactions.
Owners who have been contacted by JLR regarding security updates are strongly encouraged to ensure these updates are completed. JLR has collaborated closely with Thatcham Research for nearly three decades, working to develop and implement industry-leading security systems.
Richard Billyeald, Chief Technical Officer at Thatcham Research, expressed support for JLR’s proactive approach to security. "JLR has actively supported police and other partners, adopting a holistic approach to identify potential security vulnerabilities and working proactively to close them down."
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