Welcome to the August edition of SBD’s Secure Car newsletter, providing the latest news and views on the issues of vehicle crime.  The Frankfurt Motor Show which opens to the Press on September 13th promises to be one of the biggest and best yet, certainly if the investment from Audi is any measure.  SBD will be sending a research team to the show to record the latest technical and market trends with particular attention to keyfob design, smart key systems and communication technologies. Included in this newsletter are

Car theft starts to rise globally

As predicted in SBD’s Global Theft Statistics report published in 2010, the latest theft data is starting to show that the general decline in car theft seen over the past 10 years as a result of immobilisation has ended.  A 31% rise has been recorded in Austria, and a 33% increase is noted in Punjab, Pakistan. Read more >>

Exciting offer: A single package for the latest RF key fob technology

Understand what features customers expect from remote technology, how different global markets regulate the use and where future developments are headed with this set of three of our popular reports - Enhanced Key Fobs - The Driver Interface Outside the Vehicle, RF Interference and the Future for Vehicle Entry and The Market for Remote Engine Start. You will save 10% when you purchase this package before the end of September 2011 - so hurry now and email ABallatore@sbd.co.uk.

Thailand to reveal details of new insurance scheme

At the start of September the General Insurance Association in Thailand is due to announce the details of their new insurance assessment scheme.  As reported in our April newsletter, Thatcham have formed an agreement to help introduce a UK style risk classification rating system and a parts accreditation scheme. Read more >>

Additional items in this month's newsletter include:

• Security researchers unlock cars with an SMS
• Microdots and vehicle marking
• GPS receiver available with jamming countermeasures
• Retractable steering wheel could be a theft deterrent
• Remote access on-board cameras
• NFC vehicle key designs

View this month's newsletter