Ford BEATS car thieves with motion sensing car key fob for Fiesta and Focus

Ford is introducing new car key fobs for the Fiesta and Focus with motion sensing technology to beat car thieves using signal grabbers.

A year ago we asked why car makers haven’t introduced motion sensing keyless car key fobs which switch off when not being used so tech-savvy thieves can’t grab the signal and steal your pride and joy. And it looks like Ford were listening.

Ford has announced it has fitted motion sensors inside the key fobs for the Fiesta and Focus – the UK’s best-selling cars – which turns off the signal after no use for just 40 seconds, meaning smart-arse thieves with a relay grabber have nothing to grab. Very simple and very effective.

Simply picking the key up will activate it, and Ford has also made sure you have to be within two metres of your car for the fob to work, cutting down on more sophisticated attempts to grab the signal code when you’re near the car too.

Simon Hurr, Ford Security specialist, said:

The online availability of devices which have no place in public hands has long been a problem for Ford, our industry and crime fighters. We are pleased to respond with a simple but effective solution – swiftly implemented to help protect owners of our top-selling cars.

Ford is already delivering new Fiestas and Focus’ with the new motion-sensing technology, and if you have a current model Fiesta or Focus Ford will give you a new motion-sensing fob for £65 (£72 for the Focus) and charge you just under an hour’s labour to test and programme it. Which, we’d hope, will be reflected by your insurance company (if you don’t ask…).

Over the next two years Ford intend rolling out the motion-sensing technology across the rest of their range. Which is good, but why so long?