Ford is introducing an additional theft protection for commercial vehicles with Guard Mode. When the function is activated, the owner of the van will be alerted via his or her smartphone when someone tries to unlock or start it. Such systems are already in circulation, but Ford seems to be taking it to the next level.
When Guard Mode is activated, the security system monitors, among other things, when someone enters the vehicle, opens the hood or cargo area, or starts the engine. Even when this is done with the ignition key, the driver or fleet manager is notified. The FordPass Pro app then shows the times when the alarm went off, the reason for the alarm and the last known location of the vehicle. Up to five vehicles can be managed simultaneously via this app. The user plans the times when Guard Mode is activated.
The new alarm function is standard on new commercial vehicles with FordPass Connect and comes via an over-the-air update to existing commercial vehicles. Ford is not the only one that offers remote theft protection for commercial vehicles. Volkswagen also has a ‘movement alert’ for its company cars that notifies you when someone moves the car or unlocks the doors. Mercedes-Benz has a similar function in Mercedes Pro Connect.