The practice of automotive retailers utilizing location-tracking technology on vehicles has become increasingly prevalent. These devices, often GPS-based, transmit data regarding a vehicle’s whereabouts and, sometimes, its operational status. Their presence serves a variety of purposes for the dealerships that employ them.
The rationale behind this technology involves risk mitigation, asset recovery, and enhanced customer service. In cases of financing, location tracking provides a means to locate and potentially repossess a vehicle in the event of payment default. It also allows dealerships to monitor vehicle inventory, aiding in logistics and theft prevention. Furthermore, some dealerships leverage tracking to offer services like stolen vehicle recovery assistance to their customers.