Dearborn, Michigan - A new system offered by U.S. Ford and Lincoln Mercury dealerships will allow customers to track their vehicle's location through wireless technology and find it online, by email, by phone or through text messages. The system will also allow police to locate the vehicle in the event of theft.
The optional system, SmartAlert, is available for most new and some previously-owned vehicles. The system is built by SkyWay Systems, which announced an agreement to license the accessory through dealers at this year's National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) convention in Las Vegas.
"SmartAlert is a great service for owners who want to protect their vehicles from theft, parents who want to monitor teenage drivers and small-business owners who need to track the whereabouts of their vehicles," said Dr. Robert Yandrofski, chairman and CEO of SkyWay Systems.
The system can also alert the owner to unauthorized movement of the vehicle, warn by email or text message if the vehicle has exceeded a pre-set maximum speed, and can trigger the vehicle's door locks to open or lock, either through a command module or from SkyWay. The system also includes a monthly status report that can display the vehicle's locations on specific days and times during the month.
The system will be sold and installed by the dealer at a retail cost of approximately US$999, with a 12-month subscription. After the initial year, a monthly subscription fee is necessary.
