Subaru Australia's commitment to theft reduction has been recognised by the International Association of Auto Theft Investigators (IAATI) at a ceremony in Sydney.

Subaru was awarded the Outstanding Achievement in the Reduction of Motor Vehicle Theft in Australia for initiatives used to enhance vehicle security in Impreza WRX and Impreza WRX STi models.

Ray Carroll, Executive Director of the National Motor Vehicle Theft Reduction Council, described the turbocharged Impreza versions as "the most theft-resistant cars on the Australian market."

Since 2002 all Subaru Impreza WRX and STis have been fitted with a comprehensive suite of security devices designed to reduce theft including electronic immobilisers, keypad alarm systems, self-voiding VIN labels, embossed rivets and DataDot identification technology.

A retrofit program was also put in place for existing MY99-MY01 Impreza WRX models, where keypad security systems were applied at no cost to owners.

Mr Carroll said: "In response to the significant theft issues that emerged with Impreza WRX vehicles, Subaru incorporated a comprehensive suite of theft protection measures.

"These have been designed to address both the unauthorized taking of the vehicle and the disposal of a whole vehicle or its parts.

"Subaru also instigated a retrofit program for existing 1999 to 2001 Model Year vehicles at no cost to the owner and extended its microdot identification strategy across its entire model range.

"These security improvements have, in the opinion of the National Motor Vehicle Theft Reduction Council, made the post-2002 Subaru Impreza WRX the most theft resistant vehicle on the Australian market."

Mr Carroll added: "This view is supported by actual theft outcomes which have seen the WRX theft rate fall from one of the highest of all model vehicles for the 1999 to 2001 model years to such a negligible level that it has the lowest rate of any significant volume manufacturer."

Mr Carroll said recent initiatives undertaken by some other manufacturers should not be undervalued. But in implementing such a comprehensive range of security improvements, Subaru has demonstrated a commitment to reducing the theft of its vehicles far in excess of any other manufacturer or importer in the Australian market and is therefore worthy of the IAATI achievement award.

Nick Senior, General Manager, Subaru Australia said: "Subaru has worked very closely with Fuji Heavy Industries to develop new ways to improve security across all models, particularly Impreza WRX and STi, so weÕre very grateful to receive recognition for our work in this area.

"As a result, we have seen theft rates for WRX and STi drop dramatically. In fact, last year, we can count the number of unrecovered thefts of these models on one hand, which gives us the lowest theft rate of any significant volume manufacturer.

"This has also started to be reflected in insurance premiums, which is good news for customers."

Subaru works very closely with Australian bodies, including the NMVTRC, which provide valuable feedback on security initiatives.