Could tariffs on imports—particularly on items such as new cars and steel—from countries like Canada, Mexico, and China lead to heightened physical security issues for auto dealerships?
Auto dealerships are caught in a game of “wait and see”. According to reports, new car prices could rise as much as $3,000, with others speculating it could cost an additional $6,250 to import cars to the U.S., with much of those costs being passed on to consumers. And the issue could extend to the used car industry as well. Kelly Blue Book reports that 8.1 million fewer cars were built during the height of the pandemic, which has led to a smaller supply today. Of course, these fears extend to car parts themselves with recent tariffs on China, where many U.S. automakers get their parts from.
Auto Dealer Security: Act Now
What does this mean for auto dealers when it comes to physical security? Unfortunately, as assets rise in value, thieves and vandals take notice. We saw this during the pandemic as prices of building materials rose and construction sites became a prime target for thieves looking to cash in on high lumber costs. A report from 2021 stated that lumber prices increased more than 250% in the year prior, driving up the cost to build a single family home by $24,000. While there’s still much uncertainty as to what will happen, and if there will be any impact to auto prices at all, now is the time for dealerships to prepare and lock down their assets before trouble strikes.
When it comes to physical security, taking a “wait and see” approach is not an option. The risk is clear – if you wait to see what will happen, by the time thieves strike, it’s already too late. The impact of a single physical security incident could result in lost or damaged assets, impacting a business’s bottom line and even the potential for a negative customer experience and a hit to brand reputation.
Proactive Crime Deterrence
The bottom line is this – physical security should always be a priority. Uncertainty surrounding the impact of tariffs shouldn’t be the only reason to improve your physical security posture, but it is certainly a reminder to do so. And yet, many auto dealerships are relying on outdated and reactive security strategies like unmonitored cameras, fences, and security guards.
Reactive security is not security. To protect properties and stop thieves in their tracks, proactive defenses must be leveraged. Pro-Vigil offers solutions that can meet the needs of any auto dealership. They include:
- Fixed Surveillance – Fixed solutions consist of security cameras hardwired into electricity and internet connections. Often mounted on the exterior of buildings, these are the more “traditional” surveillance cameras you’re used to seeing – with some major upgrades. Pro-Vigil’s surveillance solutions are backed by artificial intelligence (AI), enabling smarter security. This allows for faster detection of suspicious behavior and the use of deterrence features like flashing lights and loud sirens. All cameras are monitored remotely by Pro-Vigil’s monitoring centers.
- Mobile Surveillance Units – Pro-Vigil’s mobile surveillance units include all the benefits of our fixed solutions, packed into a self-contained unit on wheels. These units can be deployed quickly and moved around a site as needed. Because of this, they are a great fit for areas where cameras can’t otherwise be installed, like satellite storage lots or in blind spots – areas where fixed cameras can’t “see”. Our mobile units run on solar power and don’t require hardwired internet.
No matter the solution that’s best fit for your site, every Pro-Vigil service comes backed by our trained remote monitoring team of security professionals. While AI can quickly detect suspicious activity, our remote teams are the ones who jump into action to escalate threats and respond as needed to deter criminals or contact authorities as a last resort.
Don’t let uncertainty surrounding events in the news impact your dealership. Stop crime before it happens with Pro-Vigil’s powerful surveillance solutions. Contact us to learn how we can help secure your dealership.
