The new car market is witnessing a rapid proliferation of smart key systems, with around 20 new models launched with the technology in the past year and many more set to follow.
Keeping pace with this rapid development, SBD has incorporated its most recent research and analysis into its indispensable report, Smart key system development and availability in Europe.
This new report features full descriptions of the range of smart key systems currently available to the motorist and demonstrates how they perform against the standards issued through Thatcham by the UK insurance industry, the only official standards published in Europe to date.
It also compares and assesses the implications of the different technical solutions.
The rapid adoption of smart key technology has seen all the major vehicle manufacturers offer systems, with the exception, thus far, of PSA Peugeot CitroE.
New adopters include Honda, Mazda, Toyota and Jaguar, and Hella has emerged as a new supplier, notably for the latest-generation Volkswagen Passat.
SBD's market analysis demonstrates that the increase in equipment availability is driven more by competition between manufacturers rather than customer demand, although the greater number of cars on sale with the technology should help bring the relatively high prices down and increase consumer interest and take-up.
SBD has taken the lead in designing a rigorous, independent benchmarking test programme for vehicle smart key systems, producing authoritative data on functionality and levels of convenience and security.
Previously SBD has issued reports detailing benchmarking of the smart key systems offered by Audi, BMW, Ford, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Renault, Volkswagen and Volvo.
Summarising its findings, SBD shows that generally all models performed well where convenience, range of features and smart entry security are concerned, but most of them would struggle to meet the Thatcham criteria on smart-start security.
** Due to the confidential nature of the report content, your request to purchase SBD's security reports will be vetted by SBD's security team, prior to any sale agreement. **
This new report features full descriptions of the range of smart key systems currently available to the motorist and demonstrates how they perform against the standards issued through Thatcham by the UK insurance industry.
