Targa Telematics strengthens vehicle misuse prevention with ai-driven solutions

Highlights

Analysis from the Targa Telematics Observatory shows that incidents of vehicle misuse increased by 50% in 2025 and now account for 40% of total vehicle thefts.
By implementing preventive measures, vehicle recovery rates can reach up to 90%.
Targa Telematics’ AI-driven solution, Smart Vehicle Protector (SVP), enables early identification of misuse risks and effectively supports vehicle recovery.

Targa Telematics, one of the world’s leading players in AIoT (Artificial Intelligence of Things) for the development of digital solutions and platforms for connected mobility, announces significant progress in tackling vehicle misuse through Smart Vehicle Protector (SVP), an advanced AI driven solution capable of identifying early risk signals and supporting vehicle recovery.

Analysis from the Targa Telematics Observatory shows that vehicle misuse is on the rise. In 2025, out of 10,000 theft incidents, cases of misuse and unauthorized use increased by 50%, accounting for nearly 40% of all thefts.

This trend is reflected in the broader UK vehicle crime landscape. According to data from the Office for National Statistics, vehicle thefts increased by more than 70% between 2015 and 2025. Vehicle crime—whether theft or misuse—poses significant challenges for fleet managers and mobility operators in terms of operational efficiency, costs, and insurance exposure.

The importance of a prevention strategy

Unlike traditional theft, misuse often originates from initially legitimate access to a vehicle. Risk evolves over time through non compliant behavior, extended use, or unusual operational patterns, making timely detection more complex. Intelligent correlation of events—such as behavioral anomalies, breaches of agreed limits, and inconsistent usage patterns—overcomes the limitations of reactive, after the fact controls and enables a truly preventive approach. This allows operators to monitor assets and intervene before misappropriation becomes a permanent loss.

The Targa Telematics Observatory reports that when risk is identified at an early stage, recovery rates can exceed 90%, significantly reducing economic and operational impact for operators.

Targa Telematics’ AI-driven solution

Building on a strong data foundation developed over years of field experience and enriched with large volumes of signals and real world cases, Targa Telematics has developed Smart Vehicle Protector (SVP)—a cutting edge AI driven solution designed to detect early signs of vehicle misuse and enable rapid activation of operators responsible for vehicle recovery.

Leveraging artificial intelligence—including agentic AI—and behavioral analysis, SVP continuously monitors each asset, correlates weak signals, and prioritizes high risk alerts. This enables fast, targeted intervention through Targa Telematics’ network of 24/7 Control Rooms operating across Europe.

“With the vehicle crime landscape in the UK evolving rapidly, it is essential for fleet managers and mobility operators to rely on next generation services that go beyond reactive incident management and enable a truly proactive approach to asset protection,” said Chris Horbowyj, UK Commercial Director at Targa Telematics. “By leveraging Smart Vehicle Protector—Targa Telematics’ AI powered solution designed to identify early risk signals—UK rental and leasing operators can achieve significant cost savings and improve operational efficiency. As vehicle crime continues to put pressure on margins and fleet availability, the shift toward data driven prevention should become a critical priority rather than a ‘nice to have.”

About Targa Telematics

Targa Telematics is one of the main global players in the AIoT field and in developing solutions and digital platforms for connected mobility. For over 25 years, the company has been bringing to the market a range of telematics technology solutions, smart mobility and IoT platforms for short and long-term rental companies, financial companies and large fleets, ranging from insurance telematics to asset and fleet management, from remote diagnostics and telemetry of vehicles, professional and construction vehicles, to the management of airport vehicles. Following the acquisition of Viasat Group – finalized in 2023 – Targa Telematics has strengthened its footprint in European markets – thanks to a strong presence in countries such as Italy, the UK, France, Spain, Portugal, Belgium, Poland and Romania – as well as Chile. The company is able to work on projects at international level with dedicated local teams. Targa Telematics participates to the United Nations Global Compact and adheres to its principles-based approach to responsible business.
For more information: www.targatelematics.com