A GPS device – similar to the OnStar systems which can be installed in General Motors cars – that can track a vehicle without the need for users to purchase a subscription is now available in selected models of Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, and Ram vehicles.
The Detroit News reports that the device, which is known as the Electronic Tracking System and is made by Mopar, costs $459 and is mounted in a specialized data port behind the dashboard, concealing it from view. While the basic service will be free, there will also be two tiers of paid service available, dubbed silver and gold, which will provide expanded functionality to motorists.
The silver plan, which costs $149 per year, allows users to set top speeds and maximum distances that the vehicle can travel, and notifies them via text message if their limits are exceeded. This feature could be a convenient one for parents of teen drivers, helping them to teach their kids safe driving habits and keep car insurance costs under control. Additionally, the upgraded plan adds emergency service dispatching and a panic button, among other extra features.
The gold plan, in addition to the features provided by the silver, offers full-fledged concierge service at any time and allows users to track their car online whenever they want. The concierge service is provided by Guidepoint Systems, a partner of Mopar, according to the Detroit News.
The Electronic Tracking System also provides a $1,000 theft warranty, to be paid if a stolen vehicle cannot be tracked by authorities. However, the system should provide an effective locator service in the event of theft, experts say.