Mitsubishi Introduces Mighty Dot As An Accessory And Standard Fit Equipment For Lancer Evo's

Mitsubishi Motors in the UK has announced its intention to launch the new hi-tech vehicle security marking product Mighty Dot as an accessory through its dealer network. It will cost £180 per vehicle plus fitting and can be used on new or used cars.

The 155mph, £32,000 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VII supercars will have it fitted as standard by Mitsubishi at their Portbury import and preparation centre.

Mitsubishi, which has over 130 UK dealers, is introducing Mighty Dot because it was impressed that the security product was almost impossible to remove, therefore helping to protect against car jacking and ringing. Other benefits are that it is easy to apply and it is yet another example of Mitsubishi’s customer service.

Mitsubishi spokesman Stephen Blackburn Director of Aftersales and Business Development said "today’s thieves who target motor vehicles use sophisticated measures to get around most current security systems. Now they even steal the keys to undermine the effectiveness of the vehicle’s engine immobiliser. The Mighty Dot process should deter the thief from taking a vehicle that has its own unique fingerprint. Complete, or in bits, the vehicle will remain traceable – it’s not worth their while".

Managing Director Craig Simnett said: "Mitsubishi is one of the first motor manufacturers to introduce the product. With incidents of vehicle car crime on the increase, we are pleased that it will now be available to an even wider range of consumers."

Mighty Dot works through the application of a unique spray of 5000 polyester substrate microdots to the engine, chassis and body parts of the vehicle. Each dot is laser etched with an individual PIN number which is easily visible under UV light. Once the product has been applied the PIN number is held on the International Security Register, enabling simple identification of vehicle parts.

The product has obvious advantages for customers. The fact that, for relatively little investment, customers’ vehicles can be protected against car jacking and ringing for the lifetime of the vehicle and the Mighty Dot product is applied at the dealership while the owners wait."

Featured on the Tomorrow’s World programme, earlier this year, Mighty Dot is set to attract a huge response from consumers, who are becoming increasingly concerned about the rise in incidents of carjacking and other serious car-related crimes.

The product has already been tested by Detective Chief Inspector David Ryan, head of New Scotland Yard Vehicle Crime Squad, who recognises the obvious benefits of the product in reducing incidents of often-violent physical attack from car thieves. "Mighty Dot is the first security product which is virtually impossible for the thief to remove and the time and effort it would involve makes it just not worth it!

"Stolen vehicles and parts treated with the product will now be instantly recognisable to us, which should have a positive effect on reducing incidents of car jacking and ringing."

A Mighty Dot application takes just 10-15 minutes and, once the vehicle has been treated, the dealer attaches stickers to the windscreen and side windows, which act as a deterrent to thieves who recognise that they are no longer able to change the vehicle identity without being caught. The product acts as an incentive for customers to stay loyal to their dealer as Mighty Dot will only be available through the dealer network and not from independent garages and accessory shops.

Dealers are provided with a full application kit and a video giving a full product demonstration and complete step-by-step instructions. There is also further information provided on the website at www.mighty-dot.com plus a freephone number for dealer support, if required. A major benefit is that it can be applied by a bodyshop apprentice or member of the valet team, rather than by a technician, therefore reducing the cost of application. And, unlike some security products, the product does not interfere with the electronics or other operations of the vehicle.

The company is currently working alongside the insurance trade to secure an ABI rating for the product, which has already received a Thatcham Q rating and is set to achieve the highest marks for vehicle parts identification.