PRESS RELEASE – for immediate distribution
17 October 2022
VIN CHIP™, the theft deterrent and recovery aid, installed during manufacture by UK touring caravan and some premium motorhome manufacturers is branching into the campervan conversion market. Derby-based Hillside Leisure, one of the largest VW campervan converters in the UK, is the first National Caravan Council (NCC) approved campervan conversion specialist to install the anti-theft technology as standard specification.
VIN CHIP™ was initially launched to better deter criminals from stealing touring caravans and to help aid the identification and recovery of stolen tourers. VIN CHIP™ protects a leisure vehicle as it consists of unique visible and invisible markings and identification technology, designed to combat vehicle crime. Individual RFID chips are programmed with the 17-digit VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) and integrated into the build of the leisure vehicle.
With the growing popularity of motorhomes, in recent years they have been increasingly targeted by thieves in dealerships, storage areas and private homes. For motorhomes, the VIN CHIP™ includes hidden RFID chips so that the body and chassis will always be identifiable. VIN CHIP™ also provides highly visible and tamper evident security labels that display the VIN and a unique QR code that warn criminals that the vehicle is VIN CHIP™ protected. The keeper details are always registered on the CRiS (Central Registration and Identification Scheme) database.
The police have unique VIN CHIP™ scanners to confirm the VIN and the keepers’ details 24/7. VIN CHIP™ is also part of the official police security initiative Secured by Design, making it a Police Preferred Specification accredited product.
Clive Harris, Head of Development at VIN CHIP™ commented:
“We’re excited to work with Hillside Leisure as they become the first NCC Approved campervan conversion specialist to install VIN CHIP™ as standard specification. Their customers will get additional reassurance that thieves will shy away from their campervan when they see it has the VIN CHIP system installed. Should the criminals proceed to steal and seek to re-identify with a false registration and VIN, the VIN CHIP™ technology ‘buried’ into the vehicle will still reveal its true identity and aid recovery of the vehicle.”
Commenting on the addition of VIN CHIP™ to Hillside’s latest range of VW campervan conversion models, owners and brothers, Adrian and David Cross said:
“Being the first campervan conversion manufacturer to install VIN CHIP™ in our range of Hillside models will give our customers extra peace of mind about the safety and security of their luxury campervan. We are always looking at new ways to expand and follow the latest technology available ensuring that we continue to lead the way within our sector.”
VIN CHIP™ and Hillside Leisure will both be exhibiting at the Motorhome & Caravan Show 2022 running between 18-23 October at the NEC Birmingham.
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Editors’ notes
The NCC (National Caravan Council) is a not-for-profit trade association representing the entire supply chain across the tourer, motorhome, holiday caravan and residential park home sectors, and has been at the heart of the industry for more than 80 years. The NCC works with its members to help the industry deliver high quality products and services.
The VIN CHIP™ technology comes as standard on all new NCC Approved UK touring caravans manufactured since 2016, and some premium motorhomes. Each unique VIN is linked to the CRiS (Central Registration & Identification Scheme) database. Visit www.vinchip.co.uk for more information.
VIN CHIP™ technology has featured in Hillside Leisure campervans from September 2022.
The Secured by Design scheme seeks to improve physical security and provides a recognised standard for all security products to help deter and reduce crime.
Hillside Leisure
Hillside Leisure is a family business, established by the Cross brothers in 2004. Still owned and managed by Adrian and David Cross and based in Derby, Hillside Leisure has developed its own range of campers suitable for holidaying but also useable as an everyday vehicle.
They design, manufacture and sell an award-winning range of campervans and all their vehicles are Whole Vehicle Type Approved. Hillside Leisure holds the NCC Manufacturer Approval and is one of the early members of the Volkswagen Motorhome qualified converter scheme.