With new car sales lagging, each customer satisfaction index (CSI) survey is even more crucial. After all, allocations of in-demand vehicles and bonus payouts from manufacturers can depend on it.

Aftermarket connected vehicle technology is a proven way to improve the purchase experience — and help turn one-and-done buyers into long-term customers.

Improving the buying experience

More and more, customers know exactly the vehicle they want to test drive when they arrive at a dealership. Making them wait while the salesperson attempts to find it on the lot is a great way to ensure poor marks on a CSI survey, An even better way is to walk a customer to a vehicle for a test drive only to discover that the battery is dead or the gas tank is empty.

Installing an inventory management system on new vehicle inventory can help salespeople score more perfect 10s, and meet the store’s CSI goals, by improving the buying experience.

The latest technology lets dealers monitor the location and status of each vehicle from a laptop or mobile phone. They can see where a car is parked, how full the gas tank is and how much charge the battery has. If the vehicle is buried three cars deep in the lot, the salesperson can know this in advance and bring the keys to all three vehicles. All this can save crucial time and help avoid costly delays when working with a customer.

When geofences are created, entry and exit alerts let salespeople know when a test driver leaves and reenters the lot. Unlike RFID telematics solutions that work only within the lot, a cellular-based solution can also track the vehicle on the road.

Improving the service experience

A car buyer will drive out of their way to get to a dealership, especially if the dealership has the popular model they want, but they won’t necessarily make the same trip for vehicle maintenance. After the warranty ends, many customers defect to independent shops. Connected vehicle technology helps keep customers coming back for service by streamlining the service experience.

For example, when a connected car is brought in for maintenance or repair, the service writer can know the car’s exact location for faster customer pickup. Service departments can track loaner vehicles the same way.

The newest connected car technology also helps dealers save money on service department marketing. LoJack® technology, for example, lets customers request service appointments directly from an app and lets dealers pull mileage reports on vehicles so they can reach out to customers with tailored service reminders and discounts.

Single solution for multi-make franchised dealerships

Telematics solutions, especially customer-facing applications, are available as OEM equipment, but it’s hard for dealers to use those systems for inventory management, especially in a multi-make franchise. With an inventory management system such as LoJack LotSmart, dealerships can monitor multiple makes of vehicles all at once. Multi-franchise dealers can opt for a single solution for all their stores, eliminating the need to juggle separate OEM systems and loaner tracking options.

LotSmart can be integrated into a dealership management system (DMS) using VINs or stock numbers to help sales staff track the location of each equipped vehicle, help dealers manage their inventory turn rate, and help service staff monitor the health of each vehicle.

Sell-through benefits turn investment into profits

Selling through connected vehicle technology to the customer can turn the inventory management investment into a profit center.

For example, using the same telematics device, LotSmart for dealers can be sold through to consumers as SureDrive, a connected car mobile app. Connected vehicle technology lets vehicle owners track the car’s location and status, receive speed alerts and unauthorized-use alerts and enjoy stolen vehicle recovery (SVR).

Some connected vehicle solutions can tell when the car is involved in an incident. CrashBoxx technology, which comes standard with LoJack’s connected car offerings, can detect crashes and allow LoJack to contact emergency services if needed. Customers value the technology, especially since the OEM doesn’t always offer a similar capability.

By selling through connected vehicle technology benefits, dealers can drive increased profits per vehicle retailed (PVR) as well as increased service traffic.

For car dealerships, loyal customers are worth their weight in gold, not only because they give perfect 10s on CSI surveys but because they come back for maintenance needs, and perhaps their next car.  While the new car smell fades fast, a happy customer sticks around.

Learn more about LoJack’s nationwide inventory management and connected car solutions here.

The post Boost CSI Scores, PVR and Profits with Connected Vehicle Technology appeared first on LoJack.

A New Reality

Stay-at-home orders resulting from COVID-19 have impacted industries across the board. Organizations have had to find new and innovative ways to continue on with their businesses. Retail and sales industries that typically conduct their work in person have had to pivot in new and challenging ways in order to stay afloat.

Car dealerships are one of the businesses that thrive due to a 1:1 sales format, and while some of the buying process had transitioned online prior to the pandemic, the lasting effects of a fully remote car buying process are still being navigated by business owners. The nature of the sales process for buying a car has drastically changed, and it will continue to do so.

Remote & Online Car Buying

Online resources have long been used to supplement research that car buyers use to inform their decisions prior to purchasing. Access to details that compare and contrast different brands, makes, and models can greatly streamline the job of the customer. While some dealerships have tailored their sales processes to meet the demands of modern consumers prior to the pandemic, the digital transformation of this process has escalated exponentially due to the prolonged lockdown. This rapidly evolving transition to the “new norm” will likely continue in the future as consumers become more comfortable with the conveniences of remote car shopping.

While much of the research and information gathering aspects of the car buying process can be adequately transitioned online, there is no virtual supplement for getting a true feel for a vehicle during a physical test drive. As a result, some dealerships have had to restructure their test-driving process to cooperate with important social distancing guidelines, allowing buyers to take the vehicles out alone.

As expected, there are elevated risks involved with this modification, including added concern that vehicles may be damaged or stolen, and a correlated increase in the theft via the use of fraud and fake identification. To combat these challenges, dealerships can develop stronger inventory and lot management by implementing vehicle tracking and diagnostics monitoring. The insights from these lot management tools will provide the visibility and security dealerships need to be confident in the transition to remote car buying. Increased visibility is crucial for test drives, pick-up and drop-off service, and monitoring car maintenance.

Online car shopping — while convenient for car buyers — presents an interesting dilemma for dealerships: How do you drive F&I profit when more and more customers are bypassing their visit to the F&I office? Without the typical heavy traffic in the physical showroom, dealerships may struggle to replicate the F&I profit that comes with an in-person store visit. Dealerships have had to get creative with their customer experiences in order to maintain this critical revenue stream, providing an advanced level of service in this new remote environment.

The Future of Car Buying

The impact of the pandemic will continue to weave through the way organizations do business for years to come. Many consumers are not going to feel comfortable or safe in public environments until a clear solution is in place, and while the timeline for that event remains foggy, dealerships need to be dedicated to protecting their customers and vehicles by adding support and security wherever possible.

Hygiene safety is of the utmost importance both now and in the future, as it is unlikely that reopening procedures alone will quell the fears of customers. While looking into telematics technology that can secure their vehicles and improve lot management, dealerships should also look to partners who offer vehicle sanitization packages in addition to other protective services.

Many online car buying procedures are likely to remain ingrained in the car buying process in the future, so dealerships will need to find new ways to cultivate trust and customer loyalty. Dealers are now more frequently offering to pick up and drop off customers’ vehicles for them, providing an additional level of service. A complete sanitary wipe down of the car interior before and after a test drive promotes hygiene safety and maintains consumer confidence.

With face-to-face interactions likely diminishing over the long term because of COVID-19, dealerships must continue to build loyalty with their customers. By providing value-added services including concierge, maintenance, and other connected car services like new safety and hygiene features and driver assistance, dealers will build trust, maintain customer relationships, and drive repeat business.

Time for Transformation

This pandemic has caused decision makers to innovate in previously unimaginable ways and has transformed the way business is done across industries.

As car dealerships continue to tackle the difficulties of the pandemic, it is important to also acknowledge the ways in which this transformation has moved the needle forward. Dealerships will now be better equipped with stronger practices for hygiene safety, lot management and security, as well as providing more personalized test-driving processes by allowing drivers to take vehicles out alone. With sanitization practices in place, dealerships will not only be able to protect their customers, but also themselves, from any health concerns now and in the future.

While the shift to digital/remote purchasing came with unexpected speed and urgency, the automotive retail industry, previously one that conducted business largely in person, can now embrace digital transformation to handle any additional shifts an unpredictable market may send its way.

—-

This article was originally published in Auto Dealer Today Magazine. You can find it online here.

The post How COVID-19 is Transforming the Car Buying (and Selling) Process appeared first on LoJack.

Additionally, 72 percent of car buyers will use their own mechanic and not utilize the services provided by the dealership where they purchased the vehicle. Needless to say, once a customer finds their dream car, they often drive away never to be seen again. This is a problem considering services and parts departments make up over 49 percent of a dealership’s revenue.

So what can be done?

Get To Know Your Customer Before They Arrive

Today’s car buyer has already researched the car they hope to buy and will spend their time at less dealerships, according to the 2019 Cox Car Buyer Journey. Even more so now, with health safety precautions and physical distancing requirements, the National Auto Dealers Association is saying 80-90% of dealerships will have e-commerce capabilities and sales are happening by phone or online. While less people are walking in with a game plan complete with all their preferences and other research, they are engaging online or by phone with all the information they need to choose a vehicle. While there will be a few who can be persuaded to add extra features, most buyers have made up their mind. Understanding buying behavior creates a new dynamic for dealerships. Train your team to make your customer feel welcome and be receptive to their preferences. It’s also worth re-examining your dealership’s website and ensuring that key vehicle information is easily accessible to online car shoppers. According to AutoTrader, 1 in 6 car buyers do not buy from the first dealership simply because of a poor sales experience. It’s critical to know your customer and make sure your online experience is adapted to meet their needs.

Efficient In-Dealership Process

Walking into a dealership is a stressful experience because it is an expensive life decision for many buyers and many people dislike the time it takes to buy a car. Additionally, in today’s COVID-19 world, if someone is buying a car it is more likely to be out of need versus want. Unfamiliar car jargon and a lack of transparency only heighten the level of stress for customers.

When it comes to transparency, customers care about the vehicle history and cost. Forty-seven percent of car buyers said they’d like to know the total cost of the vehicle versus only the monthly cost.

Even during the pandemic, this still remains true. Companies such as AutoTrader are providing additional services to customers, knowing more of the car buying process is happening online and efficiency is key, providing virtual test drives, vehicle home delivery and maintenance.

With the increase of home deliveries, online and phone sales happening throughout the U.S., customers would like to see much greater efficiency with their engagement with a dealership, including  the time it takes to locate a test-drive vehicle, find out if the vehicle is in stock, and if the car is ready to drive off the lot as soon as the paperwork is done. More dealerships have embraced smart telematics solutions to monitor the location and health (i.e. is the battery dead) of vehicles on their vast lots. Especially for dealerships with a large vehicle inventory or multiple lots, these solutions can be a necessity. A simple hiccup like not being able to locate a test drive vehicle—or finding that car only to discover its battery is dead—can jeopardize CSI scores or even sales. A risk not worth taking in such an uncertain and competitive market.

Aftermarket Telematics Solutions Can Open Up Opportunities

Part of understanding the modern car buyer is sensing their comfort level with technology and any expectations of benefits it will bring in making their life easier. This is one way to continue the relationship past the sale to increase customer loyalty and thus revenue for dealerships.

Dealerships that view connected car services as a way to build trust and loyalty with customers can drive recurring revenue for their business. This is a win-win for dealers and customers because these services provide convenience and peace of mind to customers, with features from maintenance alerts and roadside assistance, to speed alerts and arrival notification for parents with teenage drivers. At the same time, dealers can benefit by leveraging these services as a post-sale customer touchpoint to capture service and maintenance revenue.

These new types of telematics services go beyond the traditional but highly valuable offerings like Stolen Vehicle Recovery (SVR) services, which also provide security and for inventory protection. All of the services create an ongoing two-way relationship between the car buyer and the dealership, which can last beyond the sale.

Deliver on Customer Expectations

The automotive industry has evolved quickly and so has customer buying behavior and technology, but some things don’t change. Customers always want good service and transparent relationships with vendors. Car buyers want the latest technology to tell them it’s time for maintenance before a major problem happens, or if their teenager has arrived at their destination safely. And if they do visit a dealership, they also want to know the customer service they’re seeking is available right then and there.

Today, knowing the customer ahead of their arrival at the dealership, maximizing the efficiency of on-site visits, and offering services that meet their post-sale needs will create a trusting and engaging environment tailored to the modern car buyer.

—

*This piece was originally published in F&I Magazine on June 9, 2020. You can find it here.

The post Grooming the Car Buying Experience appeared first on LoJack.

While car theft may have increased during COVID-19, LoJack’s recent U.S. Recoveries Trends report shows that stolen vehicle recoveries increased across certain states, including California, Colorado, and Washington, by as much as 35 percent in May. The rise of recoveries started in April and continues to increase, demonstrating that while car theft continues, more and more people are protecting their vehicles.

At LoJack, we know a stolen vehicle in itself is a stressful situation, let alone during a pandemic. Stories like the nurse in Boston who had her car stolen in April from her driveway while between shifts at the local hospital, break our heart. There is enough stress to deal with in today’s uncertain environment, and having your car stolen is the last thing you should be dealing with.

So, how do you protect your car? Some vehicles come equipped with LoJack SVR technology right from the dealership, and LoJack’s telematics-based technology is available for consumers and dealers nationwide. The SureDrive connected car app offers features like CrashBoxx instant crash alerts, Tripwire Early Warning which is designed to alert you if your car is moved or the Where’s My Car feature to help you locate your vehicle, similar to Find My iPhone- but for your vehicle.

As the country starts the process of re-opening we’re proud to continue to partner with local law enforcement to help bring peace of mind to communities.

We know thieves are not taking a break during COVID-19, but neither is LoJack.

To learn more about how to protect your vehicle, visit LoJack.com

The post Vehicle Theft Isn’t Taking A Break During COVID, And Neither Are We appeared first on LoJack.

Recently, law enforcement in Georgia tracked a LoJack signal and discovered four stolen vehicles. Here’s how the story unfolded:

The owner of a 2018 Audi SQ5 reported to Smyrna Police that their vehicle had been stolen. Once Smyrna Police verified the theft, they entered the vehicle’s information into the NCIC system, automatically activating the LoJack® System in the vehicle.

Later that evening, several officers began picking up the silent LoJack signal from the stolen Audi with the LoJack Tracking Computers (PTC’s) that are installed in their vehicles and Air Units. At the same time, units were picking up another LoJack signal from a stolen 2019 Toyota Camry that had been reported stolen to Gwinnett Police in Lawrenceville, GA.

The units began converging on the area where the signals were coming from, and eventually, they located both vehicles behind a music recording studio on the west side of Atlanta. As they entered the property, numerous vehicles began to leave.

The following four stolen vehicles were recovered at the scene:

1. 1. 2018 Audi SQ5 (approx. value of $47,000)
   2. 2019 Toyota Camry (approx. value of $20,000)
   3. 2020 Nissan Altima (approx. value of $20,000)
   4. 2018 Dodge Charger (approx. value of $32,000)

In total, nearly $120,000 worth of vehicles were recovered and returned to their owners thanks to the help of LoJack technology. These four vehicles were all stolen within 24 hours of each other in four different police jurisdictions.

The LoJack System in the 2018 Audi was installed at Jim Ellis Audi in Marietta, GA.

The LoJack System in the 2019 Camry was installed at Atlanta Toyota in Duluth, GA.

As always, we appreciate the hard work from law enforcement to make recoveries like this possible. We’re proud to work in partnership with agencies across the country as they strive to make our communities safer.

The post Collateral Recovery: LoJack® System Helps GA Law Enforcement Recover Four Stolen Vehicles appeared first on LoJack.

While attending the annual International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) Conference in Chicago last week, our Law Enforcement Liaison team collaborated with Chicago PD on a case that underscores the prevalence of this form of auto theft:

The owners of a 2018 Dodge Journey reported to Chicago Police that they had been robbed at gunpoint of their vehicle. Once Chicago Police verified the theft, they entered the vehicle’s information into the NCIC system, which automatically activated the hidden LoJack® unit in the owners’ vehicle.

LoJack Law Enforcement Liaisons, who were in Chicago attending the International Police Chiefs Conference, began communicating with Chicago Police Auto Squad about the Carjacking. Within a short period of time, the vehicle was being tracked by Chicago Police. Through a coordinated effort, numerous unmarked police vehicles were able to be dispatched to the area where the car was being tracked. Officers located the vehicle with three suspects inside, and with the aid of the LoJack tracker, they were able to isolate the vehicle and make the arrests without any pursuit or other danger to the public. The vehicle was recovered and returned to the owners without damage.

Through follow up investigation that day, the carjacker was identified as one of the suspects taken into custody. The Chicago Detective said that the LoJack tracker made the difference in arresting the perpetrator in this case.

The LoJack System was installed in this vehicle earlier this year at Enterprise Car Sales in Chicago, IL.

We’d like to thank all the Chicago law enforcement officials who were involved in the recovery of this vehicle. We appreciate their dedication to protecting our communities and continuing to take dangerous criminals off the streets.

The post LoJack® System Helps Chicago PD Recover Carjacking Vehicle; Three Arrests Made appeared first on LoJack.

Commercially used vehicles are not included in the study, though they are industry workhorses. They range from heavy- to medium- to light-duty or semi-truck size to your traditional pickup. The vehicles are popular. For example, Transport Topics notes, “U.S. retail sales of medium-duty trucks rose 13.7% in May [2018] to 20,801, driven by large gains in demand for Class 6 trucks, a highly competitive sector.” It is not uncommon for trucks, trailers and equipment to be stolen together. Now, onto the recovery stories covering these commercial vehicles.

Stubborn Georgia Mule

The owners of a 2017 Kawasaki Mule reported it as stolen to Henry County Police who verified the theft and entered the vehicle information into the state and federal crime computers.  This routine action automatically activated the silent LoJack® System concealed in the Mule.

Within minutes, a Deputy with the Henry County Sheriff’s Office picked up the signal with the LoJack® Police Tracking Computers (PTCs) installed in patrol vehicles and aircraft.  Following the directional and audible cues from his PTC, the Officer tracked the vehicle to an area close to where the theft occurred. The vehicle was behind a residence. The residents were not cooperative with the Deputy and an Investigator was called to the scene. While at the residence, the Deputy also located a 2013 Toyota 4 Runner reported stolen out of North Carolina. Both vehicles were recovered and impounded. The investigation continues with several suspects identified at this time.

Troubled Employee Takes Truck

The owner of a 2005 Kenworth T-800 dump truck contacted the Granville County Sheriff’s Office in Oxford, North Carolina to report it as stolen.  They stated that an employee and the truck had not been seen or heard from in several days.  After many unsuccessful attempts to contact the employee, the owner decided that filing the report was his best option.

After the Kenworth Truck was entered into the national crime computer database, Agents with the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles License and Theft Bureau in Graham, NC picked up the silent LoJack® System signal from the vehicle.  They found the dump truck was located in the parking lot of a restaurant.

The Agents spoke to employees at the restaurant and were informed that the truck has been in the parking lot for four days.  The Kenworth was returned to the owner and the investigation led to the employee being charged with the theft of the truck.  Further investigation showed that the employee has a substance abuse addiction and was currently out on bond for attempted murder in an unrelated incident

Extended Rental Contracts Not Approved

The owner of two Ford F250 pickup trucks contacted the Providence Police Department (Rhode Island) to report vehicles missing. Both were short-term rentals that were not returned as scheduled and the renters did not respond to phone attempts to contact them. After the LoJack® System activated, the Providence Police picked up the silent signal.  The Massachusetts State Police and the Rhode Island State Police also tracked the first vehicle.  The Rhode Island trooper located it in a commercial parking lot and the unoccupied vehicle was recovered.

The second vehicle was also entered into the system and the Providence Police began to pick up that signal as well.  It was also picked up by Johnston Police Department (Rhode Island) and tracked to an address in Johnston. They recovered the unoccupied vehicle.  The first vehicle was recovered in one hour and twenty-four minutes from entry to recovery.  The second vehicle was recovered even quicker, it was recovered in fifty-nine minutes from the time of entry to recovery.

False Rental Leads to Career Criminal

The owner of a 2018 Ford Transport van contacted the Albuquerque Police Department to report their vehicle stolen.  The commercial business rented the van to a customer who has refused to return it. The Albuquerque Police Department verified the theft to activate the LoJack® System and approximately seven minutes after the activation, officers with the Albuquerque PD picked up the signal.

Officers tracked and located the stolen Ford parked in a residential neighborhood along the curb.  While officers were conducting their recovery investigation, a concerned citizen contacted them and advised them of the named offender currently lives in the neighborhood and pointed out which house. This residence was not the address the offender used on his rental contract.  Officers made contact at the residence and the offender answered the door and stepped outside.  During his interview, he claimed he just recently renewed the rental agreement; however, this was not the case.  The offender was also found to have active warrants and he was subsequently arrested.  The offender was booked into the Metropolitan Detention Center and the van was returned to the business.

Unauthorized Van Rental

A commercial home improvement store contacted the Fremont Police Department to advise one of their rental vehicles stolen from their parking lot in the early morning hours. After activating the LoJack® System, the Officers were directed to the stolen 2017 Ford Transit Van in a residential area, where it was observed being driven by a male suspect.  The stolen vehicle was followed until sufficient backup units were in position, and a traffic stop was then made on the stolen van.  The suspect was taken into custody without incident. He was well known to the officers from prior contacts. The undamaged stolen Ford van was recovered and towed/stored for safe keeping to be returned to the business.

Stolen RV Takes Unexpected Trip

The owner of a 2019 Keystone Bullet travel trailer left it with an RV dealership for maintenance.  Thieves prowled the trailer parked on the lot sometime during the night.  During recon, the thieves discovered keys to a 2016 Ford F-150.  Paperwork inside the trailer provided an address for the Ford F-150 and the thieves took full advantage of the information.  The Ford F-150 was then stolen from the owner’s driveway and ultimately used to steal the 2019 Keystone travel trailer back at the dealership.

When the owner discovered the theft of the Ford F-150, he immediately called the Everett Police Department. Within seconds of the activation, a detective with the SNOCAT Auto Theft Task Force received an email alert regarding the LoJack® System activation.  He deployed his portable Police Tracking Computer (PTC-T) assigned to area task force detectives and immediately received a LoJack® System hit. The detective verified the hit was coming from the stolen Ford F-150 and was able to track it being actively driven by the suspect. The truck and RV were located occupied in the area of Marysville. Detectives took two suspects into custody and booked them into the Snohomish County Jail for Theft of a Motor Vehicle 1st Degree and Theft 1st Degree.

The owner of the Ford F-150 and Keystone trailer received both vehicles back within just a few hours of the initial theft and before they could be sold, destroyed or hidden amongst the vast undeveloped properties in Snohomish County.

These recovery stories highlight the hard work that law enforcement does daily. We thank them for their service especially when they capture career criminals in the process. It helps make our communities safer. For more information on the LoJack® Stolen Asset Recovery solution, please visit our solution page here.

The post Stolen & Recovered: Your Commercial Vehicles and Assets Are At Risk appeared first on LoJack.

1. Ease of Use for Sales and Operations

First and foremost, a lot management solution should make life easier for both sales and operations. Look for a solution with a web portal or mobile app that lets you quickly locate vehicles and alerts you if the battery needs charging while on the go. The solution should help operations personnel ensure vehicles are in proper condition for test drives and customer delivery, while allowing sales staff to easily find a car when they’re walking the lot with a customer.

2. DMS Integration

Lot management tools are most effective when they take advantage of the data at their disposal. Look for a solution that can integrate with your DMS system. With that integration in place, you can search for vehicles on the lot by things like stock number, VIN or a number of other advanced criteria, helping you speed up the sales cycle.

3. Unauthorized Use Alerts

Your vehicles are your most important assets. Theft and unauthorized vehicle usage are problems that require a dedication solution. The faster you can know if these incidents happen, the better position you’ll be in to respond and minimize your losses. Look for a lot management tool that can send you alerts when a vehicle leaves the lot—and make sure it’s configurable so loaner vehicles don’t trigger an alert.

4. Customer Sell-Through Capability

The best inventory management solutions let you turn your investment into a profit center with a consumer sell-through component. These sell-through solutions can deliver powerful connected car features that benefit consumers and also allow you to create an ongoing relationship with your customers. Make sure your lot management solution can be seamlessly sold through to consumers and help you improve your PVR.

5. Trusted Brand

Your customers’ trust in you relies on many factors—including the brands you choose to offer. A lot management system with rugged, trusted hardware and software from a company with expertise and a trusted name will pay dividends in the long run. A stable business partner will help your dealership spend less time worrying and more time selling.

To learn more about LoJack’s nationwide inventory management and connected car solutions, check out here.

The post 5 Must-Have Features for a Dealership Lot Management Solution appeared first on LoJack.

Let’s review a few recovery stories, including one that secured an award nomination for one North Carolina law enforcement (LE) official. Each incident shows how the LoJack® System is important in helping to solve a case.

Houston, We Have a Problem

A 2012 Caterpillar skid steer was taken overnight from a jobsite. The owners reported the incident. The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office verified the theft and entered the vehicle information into the state and federal crime computers that automatically activated the LoJack® System concealed in the skid steer. A short while later officers from the Houston Police Department picked up the silent LoJack unit signal from the stolen skid steer with the LoJack Police Tracking Computers (PTC) that are installed in patrol vehicles and aircraft.

Following the directional and audible cues from the PTC, the officers tracked the equipment to a storage facility. While the officers were waiting to tow the skid steer, the renter of the storage space showed up and was arrested.  He claimed that he bought the skid steer for $5,000.00, but couldn’t produce a receipt. The Caterpillar was worth $65,000 and returned in good condition.

A Midnight Train Load of Recoveries in Georgia

The owner of a 2012 Melroe Skid Steer reported its theft with a trailer to Athens Clarke County Police. After the automatic activation of the silent LoJack® System concealed in the skid steer, a Georgia State Patrol Trooper picked up the silent LoJack unit signal with the PTC and tracked the machine to Greene County. The skid steer was located at a residence off the main roadway. After requesting assistance from the Greene County Sheriff’s Office, the team began checking the property. In addition to the recently reported equipment, officers found:

• An industrial trailer stolen from Bostwick, Georgia two weeks earlier
• An unidentified Ford F-250 that no one on the property could produce ownership papers for and the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) displayed had no history for several years
• A Ford F-150 was located with a changed VIN and identification showed that it was reported stolen out of Greensboro, Georgia in September 2013
• A Ford Explorer Sport Trac stolen in Newton County in March 2009
• A Polaris Ranger 700 stolen from Walton County in July 2015

The property owner arrived and was arrested by officers on scene. He finally admitted that he had done wrong. In all, seven vehicles and trailers were recovered from the property as a result of the LoJack® System installed in the Melroe skid steer. One subject was arrested with multiple felony charges. The investigation is ongoing as to suspect’s involvement in additional crimes.

Bad Rental in Dallas

The renter of a 2015 Bobcat skid steer contacted the Dallas Police Department to report it stolen from a jobsite overnight. After verifying and entering the vehicle information into the state and federal crime computers, the LoJack® System concealed in the Bobcat automatically activated. A short while later the Dallas officers picked up the silent LoJack® unit signal and followed the directional and audible cues from the PTC to find the Bobcat parked behind a body shop. Officers made contact with the body shop owner who stated he did not know how the stolen Bobcat got to his shop.  He stated that the parking space was rented, though he did not give the officers the name of the renter.  This is an ongoing investigation; however, the Bobcat was recovered in good condition.

Windy City Twins Recovered

The renters of a 2018 Doosan Bobcat S650 contacted the Calumet City Police to report it stolen from a construction site. Ten minutes after the silent LoJack® unit signal activated, officers from the Harvey Police Department picked up and followed the directional and audible cues from the PTC. The officers tracked the vehicle to the Markham area where the stolen Bobcat was observed in a residence’s backyard.

The original machine was recovered next to another 2018 Doosan Bobcat S650 stolen from the same construction site earlier in the month. However, this second Bobcat had not been equipped with the LoJack® System. Both Bobcats had their vehicle identification numbers and all identifying stickers removed in an attempt to defeat identification. A heavy machinery trailer discovered in the backyard was thought to be stolen and the means used to steal the construction equipment. The commercial owner came to the scene and took possession of both Bobcats, while the trailer was towed to a village yard for further investigation.

Rental Customer Ghosted, An Award Nominated Case

Henry Beck, LoJack Law Enforcement Liaison for North and South Carolina, nominated Lt. Michael Kluttz, Cabarrus County Sheriff’s Office in Concord, North Carolina (NC) for the 2019 ARA Insurance/National Equipment Register Award. Below is the incident that earned him this honor.

After a rental customer did not return a skid steer at the end of the contract and defaulted on the rental payments in June 2018, the rental company made numerous attempts to contact the customer to no avail. The skid steer was equipped with a GPS; however, the rental company lost tracking capabilities in August. In September, after several attempts to find the equipment on various jobsites the customer was known to frequent, the rental company contacted the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (NC) and reported it stolen.

“The police department verified the theft and entered the information into the state and federal crime computers, which automatically activated the LoJack® system that was concealed in the skid steer,” Beck says. “Sgt. Michael Kluttz picked up the silent signal with the LoJack Police Tracking Computers (PTC). Following the directional and audible clues, he tracked the vehicle to a residence nearly 70 miles away from the last known GPS location. The skid steer was recovered and returned. The case agent with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department signed a warrant on the rental customer for felony larceny.”

These recovery stories also illustrate the dedication of law enforcement and their desire to keep communities safe. We thank them for their tireless efforts. To learn more about LoJack® Stolen Asset Recovery, visit our page here.

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