Let’s hope this service is available worldwide.
Vehicle owners have been experiencing catalytic converter theft problems, not just in the US, but all over the globe. The LA County Sheriff recovered 250 catalytic conversion units, worth approximately $750,000, last March. These ubiquitous components of cars, especially the precious metals used, are expensive and have led to an increase in theft. Automakers have taken steps to assist owners.
Although Mitsubishi’s February discount was strangely connected to these thefts , Toyota’s current move seems more rational – although it is only available to Toyota owners in the United Kingdom.
Toyota UK released a press release stating that it will invest more than PS1million (around $1.4million) to covertly label catalytic converters on more than 100,000 Toyota vehicles. This will help the police track down and arrest thieves.
Owners are not charged for the service, but the automaker stated that older models were the focus of the offer. Because more recent Toyota or Lexus vehicles have a different design for their catalysts, they are not usually targeted for theft. To schedule the service, owners need only contact their local Toyota dealer or Lexus dealer.
Toyota has partnered with Smartwater to produce invisible marking kits that are approved by the police. The first batch of tracing kit numbers is 50,000 units. 20,000 additional kits are given to police for use in contacting owners of older vehicles not yet in the company’s database.
The free Toyota tracing service will be available in the UK, but the company should expand its offering globally. Given the marque’s position as the world’s largest automaker, it is obvious that many of these owners will need assistance.