Iveco has introduced a new Stolen Vehicle Assistance service designed to help fleet operators recover stolen vehicles more quickly and reduce the operational disruption caused by theft.
The manufacturer says theft of light commercial vehicles has become increasingly organised across Europe, with vans now facing a significantly higher risk than passenger cars. In the rental sector, the risk is even greater, as professional criminal groups target vehicles through fraud schemes before moving them rapidly into secondary markets where they are resold or dismantled for parts.
Theft can have serious consequences beyond the loss of the asset itself. A stolen vehicle can interrupt services, cause financial losses and affect customer commitments. The new service is integrated into the vehicle’s factory-fitted connectivity and operates through the Iveco ON ecosystem, combining telematics data with a coordinated recovery process.
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Alberto Buttiglieri, product manager for safety and security services at Iveco, said: “With Stolen Vehicle Assistance, we help customers react quickly when a theft occurs and recover their vehicle as fast as possible. By combining factory-fitted connectivity, AI-driven detection and a 24/7 security centre, we turn alerts into coordinated recovery actions that keep vehicles available and businesses running.”
The system uses AI and geofencing technology to monitor vehicle movements and detect unusual activity. Virtual geographic boundaries can be set for vehicles, allowing alerts to be triggered if a van moves unexpectedly or leaves a defined area.
The service has been developed in partnership with telematics specialist Targa Telematics. If a theft alert is confirmed, a dedicated 24/7 security centre coordinates with law enforcement authorities, manages vehicle tracking and supports recovery efforts.
Iveco says the approach can increase recovery rates to as much as 90%, while reducing response times.
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Alberto Falcione, vice-president sales at Targa Telematics, said the system combines advanced vehicle data analysis with operational expertise in stolen vehicle recovery. He added that the collaboration with Iveco aims to provide fleets with both technological tools and managed services to respond quickly to security incidents.
Beyond recovering the vehicle itself, Iveco said the service is intended to support operators during what can be a high-impact event, helping them minimise disruption and restore operations more quickly.
The system was first introduced in Spain and will now be rolled out across European markets. Early customer feedback highlighted improved vehicle visibility during day-to-day fleet management, alongside the additional protection provided in the event of theft.
