Paul Quéveau...
Paul Quéveau, boss of retractable metal roof firm Heuliez, said: "In 2006, soft-tops and hard-tops split the worldwide convertible market 50-50. However, in the next five to 10 years, 20 per cent will be soft-tops and 80 per cent hard-tops." BMW is the latest maker to switch, opting for a metal roof over a fabric hood on its 3-Series cabrio.
So if your vehicle is...
So if your vehicle is stolen, you want to ensure staff at the local workshop aren"t using it as a runabout or are simply look-ing for peace of mind, the set-up lets you check its position via the Internet or a mobile phone.
On screen, you can locate the car on a map using GPS (Global Positioning Satellites) or GSM (Global System for Mobile communications) technology. Should you prefer, updates can be sent to a landline phone or fax machine at a cost of around 20 pence a time. If you notice that your vehicle is on the move when it shouldn"t be, the first step is to report it to Cobra as stolen. The do-it-yourself checks stop at that point, and the firm"s call centre takes over instead, following the car"s position, alerting police and assisting with recovery. The kit costs ÷£349, and there is a ÷£160 annual subscription on top of this. To find out more, visit the website at www.cobravehiclesecurity.co.uk or telephone 01932 732320.