Heading
Close X
Menu
Ford is delighted for the six dog owners in West London, now reunited with their pets who were stolen when in the back of their dog minder’s Transit Custom.
Ford guided the Transit owner, who counts technology journalist Rory Cellan-Jones among his customers, to the Ford Pass app, which is available free of charge to all customers. Because Brett Holte-Smith had linked the app to his vehicle when new last year, its whereabouts could be interrogated. Once Ford Pass had been activated, the Transit’s first location following its theft in Ealing on the morning of November 12 showed as Park Royal.
By the time the search team reached the location, the vehicle had gone but five of the six dogs were later found roaming Park Royal and captured.
The thieves’ next move in the Transit showed up on Ford Pass, tracing the van to another part of Park Royal where police seized the van the same evening. The sixth dog was later found also and police inquiries continue to identify the perpetrators.
Mark Harvey, Ford enterprise connectivity director, said: “Connectivity is the cornerstone of our mission to deliver smart vehicles. What brings that plan to life, and makes it all the more rewarding, is real-life stories such as this, with Ford’s technologically advanced vehicles bringing about a better outcome for customers in need.”
Ford has offered to provide Mr Holte-Smith with an alternative vehicle pending his Transit being back up and running. One of the six dog owners impacted by the crime was former BBC technology correspondent Rory Cellan-Jones, who launched a high-profile social media appeal for their return which was picked up by Ford, and credited the company’s involvement in his resulting blog.
Ford made the majority of its commercial vehicles connected with in-built modems as standard last year, enabling their location to be pinpointed remotely, following the same free car upgrade in 2018.
Earlier this year, Ford added a new connected security system called SecuriAlert, sending notifications to the vehicle owner’s phone if it identifies vehicle activity such as attempts to open doors or gain access with a key.
© Furrows Group Ltd
Reg. Office: The Shrewsbury Garage, Benbow Business Park,
Harlescott Lane, Shrewsbury, Shropshire. SY1 3EQ
Reg. Company Number: 00149772
VAT Reg. No. 823 8521 30
Furrows Limited are a credit broker and not a lender. We are Authorised and Regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. FRN 688547. We can introduce you to a selected panel of lenders, which include manufacturer lenders linked directly to the franchises that we represent. We act as an Agent for the Lenders and we would introduce you firstly to the manufacturer lender linked directly to the particular franchise who are usually able to offer the best available package to suit your needs. If they are unable to make you an offer of finance, we then seek to introduce you to the next best offer of finance from another lender on our panel. Our aim is to secure the best deal for you with your eligibility. Lenders typically pay a fixed commission to us for the introduction, calculated by reference to the vehicle model or amount you borrow but this does not affect the interest charged on the finance agreement, which is set by the lender. If you ask us what the amount of commission is, we will tell you in good time before the finance agreement is executed. All finance applications are subject to status. Furrows Limited are appointed representatives of Assurity Solutions Limited. This company is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, with FCA authorisation number 517510. Permitted activities include advising on and arranging general insurance contracts.
Furrows are proud to members of the following organisations:
