JLR in £10m Range Rover security fix

Major theft issue has prompted security upgrades for 65k cars

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JLR has invested more than £10 million in upgrading the security of some of its older cars in response to high theft rates.

The move comes after JLR CEO Adrian Mardell told investors in March that "theft of our vehicles in large cities has become a problem", following an Autocar investigation that revealed some insurers were refusing to cover Range Rover owners, because the risk of theft had become so great.

JLR was even forced to halt its own insurance offering last year, after partner firm Verex said it would no longer extend coverage.

Mardell said "mostly old-architecture" (meaning previous-generation) cars were at risk of theft, and it's these that will benefit from the company's investment in improved security.

JLR said it has this year upgraded the security of more than 65,000 cars built between 2018 and 2022, including those out of warranty, to ensure "the same levels of protection as current models".

It's now asking remaining owners to take their car to a dealership or book an appointment with a mobile technician - a "rare approach" taken by the manufacturer to accelerate the process to have the work carried out.