Ford has announced that it will begin offering a new vehicle tracking service to rival General Motors’ OnStar service. Dubbed SmartAlert, the system will be a dealer-installed option and will compliment Ford’s Sync infotainment system.
SmartAlert will be available on Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles and will use a GPS system to help locate stole vehicles. SmartAlert will use cellular networks to send the stolen vehicle’s location to the proper authorities.
Also like OnStar, SmartAlert will be able to unlock the vehicle’s doors through a call center or online interface. In the future, the technology will allow the car’s owners to unlock the vehicle’s doors via a cell phone.
SmartAlert will also offer parents a tracking option for teen-aged drivers. The system can alert parents by email or text message if the vehicle is being driven at an excessive speed.
According to Automotive News, installation and hardware for the SmartAlert system will cost between $700 and $1,200, with customers paying a subscription fee after that to keep the service.
