Audi Australia has increased the security of its entire vehicle range this month with the adoption of DataDot microdot identification.

All new Audi models will now carry DataDot VIN-based microdots, following its successful implementation in October last year on all A6 and A8 models.

All Audi models feature high levels of active and passive safety, however vehicle security is also becoming increasingly important during customer purchase consideration, says Audi’s managing director, Joerg Hofmann.

“The safety of our customers is extremely important. Not only from an occupant protection perspective, but also in terms of vehicle security, giving our drivers peace of mind that their vehicle is hard to steal,” Mr Hofmann said.

For this reason, numerous vehicle safety and security features including DataDot microdot identification are now standard specification across the Audi range, including deadlocks on all doors, speed-activated central locking, safety central locking (two-stage unlocking) and an engine immobiliser system.

All Audi vehicles are delivered to customers with the automatic activation of the company’s speed-sensitive central security locking system which is automatically engaged at 15 km/h and remains locked until the key is removed from the ignition.

Similarly, the company’s safety central locking system is automatically programmed on all new vehicles. Pressing the ‘unlock’ button of the key once will disengage the driver’s side door lock, however to open all passenger doors and the boot requires the driver to press the ‘unlock’ button twice within a 5 second cycle. This feature is designed to prevent access to the vehicle through passenger doors by uninvited third parties and to prevent access to any secure items within the boot. It can also be de-programmed as desired.

The security rating of all Audi models is now expected to increase significantly with the introduction of the DataDot VIN based system comprising of thousands of tiny microdots imprinted with the vehicle’s unique seventeen digit Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).

“The insurance industry is specifically concerned with three main areas of vehicle security including ease of entry to the car, vehicle immobilisation systems and vehicle identification,” Mr Hofmann said.

“Our cars feature excellent deterrents to entry and standard engine immobilisers, however now with the adoption of DataDots across the entire Audi range, we can now assure both the insurance industry and our customers that our cars are even more secure,” he added.

Virtually invisible to the naked eye, DataDots are sprayed onto major components throughout the car, including the compliance plate, using a clear water-based adhesive that contains a UV trace.

When illuminated with a simple black light the adhesive produces a visible glow that indicates the areas where dots can be located. Using an inexpensive magnifier, authorities can read any one of the thousands of dots on the vehicle to establish its true identity.

The pervasive coverage and size of the dots makes it impossible for thieves to remove all of the microdots, according to the National Motor Vehicle Theft Reduction Council (NMVTRC).

Microdot technology has set a new world-leading standard in vehicle identification that makes it virtually impossible to change a vehicle’s unique vehicle identification number (VIN) and provides authorities with conclusive evidence of its true identity.

The NMVTRC maintains that the strategy is clear and simple. By removing the professional thief’s ability to safely convert the vehicle to cash, effectively takes away the motivation to steal the vehicle.

In 2004, when DataDot ID was introduced on the Audi A6, this model achieved the highest possible score for vehicle security in Australia, according to Insurance Australia Group (IAG), effectively securing its position as the hardest luxury vehicle to steal.

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