Maruti cars to have an anti-theft device now

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The anti-theft device, which is a must for any car in the European and Australian markets, will finally be
Cars equipped with the iCATs have a secret code on the car key fob. This code has to match with a corresponding code on the Electronic Control Unit (ECU) of the car for it to start

used by an Indian auto firm for almost all its models.

Currently, except for some high-end cars, factory-fitted anti-theft devices are not available with all kinds of vehicles in the country and people have to rely on products from the unorganised market.

But car market leader Maruti Udyog Limited (MUL) is all set to change the scenario by equipping all its vehicles, excluding Gypsy and Esteem, with an immobiliser – a state-of-the-art, and mandatory, anti-theft device.

Now, a buyer would not have any choice but to buy a Maruti vehicle (from the Maruti 800 to the latest sedan SX-4) with this device already fitted. The price? The model’s cost would go up by Rs 1,000 to Rs 4,300 (ex-showroom).

The company said the immobiliser device – branded as iCAT (intelligent computerised anti-theft system) – will be factory-fitted. Cars fitted with this hi-tech device are currently reaching Maruti showrooms across the country.

The firm explained that iCAT is an electronic system that works on digitally encrypted codes and, hence, is tamper-proof. Cars equipped with the iCATs have a secret code on the car key fob. This code is matched with the corresponding code on Electronic Control Unit (ECU) of the car. Only after the two codes match, the ECU permits the engine to start.

“The factory-fitted iCATs will provide customers a fool-proof device that prevents theft of their cars. With this initiative, we have equipped our cars with a feature found in advanced car markets like the EU and Australia,” MUL Managing Director & CEO Jagdish Khattar stated.

Insurance to be cheaper, but take care of the keys!

Interestingly, ICICI Bank has offered special interest rates for cars equipped with the iCAT. Besides, insurance companies too are offering a rebate of Rs 500 on insurance premium for cars equipped with iCATs, Maruti added.

With the introduction of iCATs, the original set of keys becomes even more important and, in case of loss of key, only the original second key would be able to start the car. If the second key is also lost, the third key would have to be ordered from the company.
 
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