FLEETS are benefiting from a new generation of ‘super car’ that is helping to beat car crime in Britain, security experts claim.

Organisers behind an awards scheme that rewards manufacturers for improvements to the security of their vehicles say thieves today find it almost impossible to break into cars.

For fleets, this means better insurance premiums, reduced administration and less downtime.

The annual British Insurance Car Security Awards are hosted by motor insurance repair research organisation Thatcham and recognise total security including the peripheral security of the vehicle, the steering column lock, the alarm and immobiliser and security marking of vehicle parts.

Supporters of the awards include insurers, the Home Office, Department for Transport, the AA Motoring Trust and the Advanced Automotive Glazing Manufacturers’ Association.

To win, cars should have a minimum of five stars for theft of the vehicle, a minimum of four stars for theft from the vehicle, an E rating for insurance group and a Category 1 Thatcham alarm/immobiliser.

The manufacturer award category looks at the complete range but individual categories may feature one specific model because it has better security features than their variants.

Thatcham spokeswoman Lesley Upham said: ‘Now in its third year, the British Insurance Car Security Awards has become a well established and much anticipated event.

‘Once again we’ve seen an increasing number of excellent and innovative security solutions, which have scored highly on Thatcham’s NVSA (New Vehicle Security Assessment) star rating scheme.

‘The increasing range of new and ever more effective security solutions has to be good news for fleet managers as insurance costs are reflected through more favourable group ratings. As cars become harder to steal, fleet managers will also suffer less downtime and additional inconvenience.’

City car/supermini:

1. Citroën C3 Exclusive
2. Volkswagen Polo SE
3. Skoda Fabia Elegance

Small Family Car:

1. Citroën C4 Exclusive
2. Ford Focus Ghia/Titanium
3. Audi A3

Family Car:

1. Peugeot 407 Executive
2. Citroën C5 Exclusive
3. Volkswagen Jetta
4. Volkswagen Passat (2006)
5. Toyota Avensis saloon

Compact Executive Car:

1. Lexus IS
2. Jaguar X Type
3. BMW 3 Series
4. Audi A4

Compact MPV:

1. Mazda 5
2. Ford Focus C-MAX Ghia

Large MPV:

1. Renault Espace (except Authentique)

Convertible/roadster:

1. Volvo C70
2. Mazda MX-5
3. Saab 9-3 Convertible

Performance car:

1. Peugeot 407 Coupe
2. Citroën C4 VTS
3. Porsche 911 Carrera

Compact 4x4:

1. Nissan X-Trail
2. Subaru Forester
3. Toyota RAV4

Large 4x4:

1. Volkswagen Touareg
2. Toyota Landcruiser

Executive car:

1. Audi A6 saloon
2. Lexus GS

Luxury car:

1. Mercedes-Benz S-class
2. Audi A8
3. Volkswagen Phaeton 3.2 V6 and 6.0 W12 4Motion
4. Lexus LS
5. Daimler Super Eight

Manufacturer:

1. Audi
2. Mazda
3. Volvo