Austrade media release
Thursday, 22 November 2007
Austrade-assisted DataDot Mexico is providing a low-cost innovative security solution to help Mexico City’s law enforcement authorities win their battle against increasing car and motorcycle theft.
The Australian owned company has recently signed an agreement with the Police General (PJDF) of Mexico City to reduce motor vehicle theft, provide training to the Police General’s auto theft investigators and work together to make the establishment of DataDots mandatory within the state.
Rohan Claringbold, DataDot Mexico’s President, said its anti-theft technology involves spraying on-average 4,000 tiny DataDots throughout each car. Each DataDot contains a unique PIN that is registered on the DataDot Mexico database with the vehicle’s identification number (VIN), allowing authorities to check for stolen or 'rebirthed' cars and track down stolen parts.
“Mexico has a high auto theft rate with stolen cars being 'rebirthed' for entry in the USA, Canada, Central and South America. The DataDot database will be accessible by auto theft investigators in Mexico and all of those countries,” Mr Claringbold said.
“This is a major step forward in providing the Mexican public with an affordable and effective solution to protecting their vehicles from theft and DataDots acceptance as an economical tool in this fight has been overwhelming, particularly with insurance companies, manufacturers and the general public. We are expecting strong revenues.
“Already we are seeing insurance companies provide discounts if DataDots are used and combining this with our $20,000 peso warranty vehicle owners are receiving a great financial benefit,” Mr Claringbold said.
“We are also in discussions with insurance companies to offer the DataDot Spray System to their Insurance and Auto Dealership clientele,” he said.
“Austrade has been very helpful and part of the success in regards to getting us where we are today.
“They have helped us with arranging and attending appointments with the state and federal governments in Mexico, allowing us to officially release the product to the insurance industry at the Australian Embassy in Mexico City and more,” Mr Claringbold said.
Garry Kennedy, Austrade’s Mexico City-based Trade Commissioner, said Mexico is one of the world’s most important developing countries and a key economy in Latin America.
“Their innovative product has found a niche market and has been well received by insurance companies, auto manufacturers and the population as they are motivated to fight this situation,” Mr Kennedy said.
“Austrade works closely with many Australian companies in a range of sectors to help enhance new market opportunities in Mexico. Promotional events are conducted regularly to boost sales of Australian food and wine, education, tourism and mining technology and services,” he said.
“The relationship has grown as Australian companies in a range of industries (mining services and technology, agribusiness, food and beverages, IT, software, biotechnology, automotive parts and education and professional services) enjoy success in Mexico.
“This is aided by the double taxation agreement, a bilateral investment protection agreement and memorandums of understanding on agriculture, education, energy, ICT, and mining which are helping to bring both economies together,“ Mr Kennedy said.
Tim Harcourt, Austrade’s Chief Economist, said Mexico is an emerging market for Australian exporters in the American hemisphere.
“Around 374 Australian businesses export to Mexico, which makes it the second most important exporter destination in Latin America after Brazil,” Mr Harcourt said.
“Australia's exports of goods and services to Mexico totalled $880 million for the 2007 financial year and increase from approximately $846 million the previous year,” he said.
ENDS
Media contact
Sarkis Khoury
Senior Media Adviser
Tel: +61 2 9390 2118
Mob: +61 2 414 401 072
Email: sarkis.khoury@austrade.gov.au
For further news and information from the Australian Trade Commission (Austrade) visit www.austrade.gov.au/mediacentre. |