Dealer says GPS Tracker will be installed on all new build orders?

[Mdmac]

Contacted a few Ford dealers listed in the "List of honest dealerships for Ford Maverick buyers" thread to place a new build order through (and hopefully avoid various dealer markups, etc.)

One dealer said that they install Apex GPS tracking systems on all new vehicles from their dealership. I'm not familiar with this at all -- I assume this is an "anti theft" dealer fee up-sell? I don't get the point of this at all other for them to get the fee and/or sell my info. It seems unnecessary with FordPass already monitoring everything.

I contacted the dealer and asked what the cost was and was it required, but haven't heard back. But it doesn't matter if there is a fee or not -- if it is installed my info is being bought/sold by all these third parties, on top of what Ford already monitors themselves. Not good.

How common is this kind of anti-theft GPS dealer fee? This was exactly the kind of thing I was trying to avoid by contacting recommended dealers.

Appreciate any help/info.

Welcome, I would tell the Dealership a big NO WAY and I'm not willing to pay another penny. Hell tell them you without an AirTag in it and monitor it yourself and save a lot of money best of luck

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[Larrythelunatic]

Lol I can only imagine what they think when they see to driving habits of my gt500. That thing has been over 180 more than once and I’ve only got 1200 miles on it. Or when they see top speed off over 130mph in my maverick. Ha Suck it trebek

Maybe I’m mistaken, but I thought that both the hybrid and the EB had governors limiting top end to 109 mph.

 

[TomD]

Contacted a few Ford dealers listed in the "List of honest dealerships for Ford Maverick buyers" thread to place a new build order through (and hopefully avoid various dealer markups, etc.)

One dealer said that they install Apex GPS tracking systems on all new vehicles from their dealership. I'm not familiar with this at all -- I assume this is an "anti theft" dealer fee up-sell? I don't get the point of this at all other for them to get the fee and/or sell my info. It seems unnecessary with FordPass already monitoring everything.

I contacted the dealer and asked what the cost was and was it required, but haven't heard back. But it doesn't matter if there is a fee or not -- if it is installed my info is being bought/sold by all these third parties, on top of what Ford already monitors themselves. Not good.

How common is this kind of anti-theft GPS dealer fee? This was exactly the kind of thing I was trying to avoid by contacting recommended dealers.

Appreciate any help/info.

Are you sure it’s not something installed to make repossession easier? There are devices used that allows the truck to be remotely disabled until the tow truck shows up.
These practices are one of the reasons for a Detroit area dealer to go out of business. I don’t recall the exact outcome however I think the state attorney general’s office got involved with it.

 

[eddo]

This didn't happen with my Ford, it happened with my Volvo, and I was shown, in writing, that Volvo doesn't sell the data. I believe the state sold my data.

But remember, selling and sharing are two different legal terminologies

 

[Snox801]

Maybe I’m mistaken, but I thought that both the hybrid and the EB had governors limiting top end to 109 mph.

Had being the key word.
I had Livernois tune mine. So mine is now set to 999mph

 

[Exranger]

Fake news! Opt for the complimentary wallet-vacuuming instead! You do not need that unless you want it.

 

[Zed79]

or your dealer sells the Geo tag data to a chop shop. This has happened to a chunk of hellcat owners.

 

[Lobstah]

that doesn't mean that they don't 'give away' your data for 'free' - them saying they don't 'sell it' really doesn't mean anything.

They said they don't SHARE it, period.

 

[Boosted]

As pertains to "data"...
My other car is a Volvo. When we purchased it and contacted insurance, they wanted to know how many miles per year we were going to drive with the car.
I told them less than 10,000, which was true.
2yrs went by and grandbabies appeared 300mi away Very joyous event!

A year later, the insurance company reached out and said "We've become aware that your annual mileage is well above 10,000. Based on this, your new rate for this vehicle will be $XXX. If you wish to provide documentation to the contrary, please let us know."

My first thought was the dealership that does the service, but when I spoke with them about it, they showed me in writing that they do NOT sell customer data to anyone.

I think the only other entity that would know about the actual mileage is the State of Maine, through it's registration and inspection system. So did the state sell it?...must have.

They Insurance Company subscribes to CarFax or auto check and run VIN numbers constantly and they’re algorithm picks up on that mileage entry every time you get it serviced or there’s a registration event that triggers mileage entry.

 

[Automan21]

If my car is stolen I don’t want it back. Tracker is for the police to find it.
I had a Honda stolen once and when it was found 3 days later it was just the frame and fuel tank with steering wheel left.

 

[Larrythelunatic]

Had being the key word.
I had Livernois tune mine. So mine is now set to 999mph

OK………
Understood.
But, do me a favor please.
Take a pic when you reach the new set limit.
Thanx!

 

[WNYEscapee]

Sounds just like the "glass etching" that many dealerships do. Easy mark-up and they typically add it to the vehicle without you being asked. Five minutes worth of work, your windows all etched and the number written on a sheet to log it; and cha-ching, and easy $100 or whatever they charge.
And what does it really do? Who checks the etching on the glass to see if it came from a stolen car?

 

[Snox801]

OK………
Understood.
But, do me a favor please.
Take a pic when you reach the new set limit.
Thanx!

I can try but trying to snap a pic at that speed may be tough. But I’ll try. May have to be next week as I’ve got a busy week for work and not sure if I can make it to Mexico for a speed run this week.
I’m curious how fast it will go. My wife’s 2.0 edge tuned by them would creep up to around 140 but got to 130 fairly easy. Then it was like it hit a wall. I actually had it at 132mph for just a touch over 2 hours when I first got it. Figured if it made it through that then the tuning was good and the engine was solid.

 

[lonewoof]

My dealer in NCal tried selling me this as well. I had him remove it as it was a no deal for me. It's not mandated by any authority, so you shouldn't have to pay for it. Personally I don't want any tracker installed by someone else even if it was free...

 

[Montana]

Hell. No.

Any dealer that does this is predatory.

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