Team-BHP - Rumour: AutoCop shutting down its business in India

Hi All,

Recently my vehicle started to have trouble with the Central Locking System which was installed and upgraded by AUTOCOP XS in May 2019. The remote range for both remotes was very low and even after remote battery replacement the issue persisted. The issue is still there. Naturally I tried to reach AUTOCOP and also went to the service center to get it fixed. However the service center was closed without any notice on the door and also upon calling their numbers posted on their website their was no reply. However I had a contact person of AUTOCOP who is based from Pune and he informed me that AUTOCOP has laid of 70% off its staff and they are closing down.His voice and tone had something which made me feel that he himself is unsure about future of AUTOCOP. :Frustrati

I am not sure of the news and since I am a newbie if this post is not as per the rules requesting to please merge or remove if necessary.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sdg4wheels (Post 4856888)

However I had a contact person of AUTOCOP who is based from Pune and he informed me that AUTOCOP has laid of 70% off its staff and they are closing down.

Very sad to hear, but they haven't evolved with the times.

Once, it was mandatory for every new car to get an AutoCop alarm system fitted. But now, almost every car comes with keyless entry. No one really invests in after-market stereo systems anymore, so the factory security + ECU immobiliser is more than enough for theft protection. Why didn't AutoCop use their network & expertise to expand into products & services that today's car owners want?

Looks like Covid-19 gave a death blow to a business that was already in the ICU.

Looks like they were on the right track - they had diversified into:

- Parking sensors
- Parking camera + display
- Bike anti-theft security system
- Anti-pinch automatic roll-up power windows
- GPS tracker for personal and commercial vehicles

http://www.autocopservice.com/services.html
https://www.autocoptrackpro.com/

If they have really laid off people or close to shutting down, it is clearly due to covid-19 induced slowdown/freeze in business.

I'm using AutoCop alarm and reverse parking camera. Although functional, it feels below par as compared to factory fit ones.

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTO (Post 4857177)

Very sad to hear, but they haven't evolved with the times... Why didn't AutoCop use their network & expertise to expand into products & services that today's car owners want?

Could you please quote few directions. Are you referring to internet of things ?

Very sorry to hear this and hope at least their GPS tracking service goes on. A lot of educational institutions had started to use it for their fleets.

I myself have used 2 of their devices across 3 of my cars and the service was impeccable.

Quote:

Originally Posted by itwasntme (Post 4857297)

I have their GPS tracker for my cars and the service has been impeccable. Rock solid reliable device.

I feel rather happy about this as my father won't be able to buy its products blindly. We had security system and gear lock in our Zen and also have a gear lock in our current car, all from Autocop. After 10 years of usage, the security system started having random problems evey now and then. The design of gear lock in Dzire had horrendous flaws. The thing just wasn't designed to be fitted on to a console of swift dzire even though it was marketed as a fitment for swift.

Question:
I have a 7+ year old Honda Jazz and equally old AutoCop alarm system that is Honda official fitment. It has volumetric alarm, shock alarm and all the regular ones. Recently I had to reset it and Honda/ AutoCop technicicans had no clue how to do it and finally only trial error worked.
If this conks-off is there a solution for people like me? I have no intent of selling my car for another 3 years.

I had to deal with them for one of my cars and their service is atrocious to say the least. Does not feel like a professionally managed setup at all! It feels as if you are dealing with the neighbourhood accessory guy.

Quote:

Originally Posted by hserus (Post 4857336)

I have their GPS tracker for my cars and the service has been impeccable. Rock solid reliable device.

How old is the vehicle and the device?

Well, this was coming. As manufacturers have started using theirs in house systems which are standard in all the models. The only way they could have survived was by diversifying into other products like dashcam or something that.

Quote:

Originally Posted by YD14 (Post 4857372)

After 10 years of usage, the security system started having random problems every now and then.

I have not used any 3rd party security system yet so no personal experience. However, given the cost and components of the product, don't you think 10 years of usage without trouble is a good return on the investment from an aftermarket system? Just thinking out loud, I'm not patronizing the brand or product. I have no experience with it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by hserus (Post 4857336)

I have their GPS tracker for my cars and the service has been impeccable. Rock solid reliable device.

I too had their GPS tracker and after the first year there was no way to recharge the SIM other than going via Autocop. And, they wanted all my ID proof documents again to get a new SIM. How are you dealing with it?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reinhard (Post 4857928)

I admit 10 years is a respectable life for aftermarket fitments. Our Sony stereo too gave way by the time we sold the Zen off.
My opinion is biased as when the Zen came home I wasn't even born and have more memories of the bad part of the experience. If anybody asks me about Autocop I simply cannot recommened them. It has also taught me that no matter what thing, from whatever brand it may be, nothing is timeproof.

:OT
The factory fitted buzzer of remote locking system too has been replaced in our Dzire. A couple other parts had to be replaced as well. Though it never even came close to leaving us stranded in middle of the road, still realibility hype about suzuki is not all true.

I have a 16-year-old Maruti Alto fitted with the Autocop security system. I have changed the remotes once in all these years. Every time I read about a new car review with the security features highlighted, I am amused because my car has auto door lock and unlock, a built-in range extender antennae in the remotes, auto relock if the doors are not opened within a minute, auto unlock on emergency braking (which I found out after 10 years on the road to Salem when a new speedbreaker appeared around a corner on the highway) etc.

I really have no idea of service standards simply because I have required service only once in all these years and it was provided at home.

I'm currently having Autocop central locking in one of my cars. While product quality is nothing to write home about, their service has been impressive so far.

This news seems to be true because I've been unable to get in touch with their support team since almost a month now. Raised this query here as well. Last time I raised a complaint with Autocop, the technician was at my doorstep in 30 mins flat.

Hope this is just a case of temporary slowdown due to the ongoing pandemic. Even in 2020, I see a lot of cars (basic trims but fairly expensive at 7-8 lakhs) missing out on remote locking system. Even the 14 lakh rupee Scorpio doesn't get one!