Vodafone Automotive is a vehicle technology division within the wider Vodafone Group. While many drivers in the UK still recognise the former brand CobraTrak, the business underwent significant change following Vodafone’s acquisition of Cobra Automotive Technologies in 2014, with a rebrand to Vodafone Automotive in early 2015.
The Role of Vodafone Automotive
Vodafone Automotive develops and supplies connected technologies for automotive safety, security, and telematics. The company works directly with vehicle manufacturers and dealer networks and also serves the aftermarket, where owners can fit a tracker to an existing car, van, or motorhome.
The business is centred around three key benefits:
- Rapid location of a stolen vehicle
- Notifications if the vehicle moves without authorisation
- Insurance compliance with certified tracking devices
Why Did Vodafone Acquire CobraTrak?
The integration of CobraTrak into Vodafone forms part of Vodafone’s broader strategy around connected devices. Rather than offering just a SIM or GPS signal, Vodafone saw value in Cobra’s telematics hardware and experience, enabling a complete end-to-end solution for automotive security.
Tracking services are more than just showing a dot on a map. They require:
- Secure and tamper-resistant hardware
- Reliable mobile network communication
- An effective response protocol involving the vehicle owner, monitoring team, and police
What Do S5 and S7 Actually Mean?
Many UK vehicle trackers are certified under the Thatcham Research criteria, particularly categories S5 and S7.
S5 is the higher tier, featuring Automatic Driver Recognition (ADR). This means the system will trigger an alert if the vehicle moves without an authorised driver tag, card, or smartphone app.
S7 trackers, by contrast, focus solely on location tracking and recovery support, without the added ADR element.
To summarise the practical impact:
- S7 helps with vehicle recovery post-theft
- S5 can also detect unauthorised driving attempts
How Does Modern Vehicle Tracking Work?
Once installed, a tracker sends signals more info on location, movement, and device status. If a theft event is detected, a managed monitoring process is activated. Vodafone Automotive’s offering includes:
- Real-time monitoring
- Escalation protocols
- Liaison with law enforcement
For the owner, this provides peace of mind during typical risk scenarios, such as:
- Leaving a vehicle on the driveway overnight
- Long-stay airport parking
- Stopping in unfamiliar or high-risk areas
Who Benefits Most from Vodafone Automotive?
Vodafone Automotive is ideal for:
- Drivers seeking an insurance-approved tracker
- Owners of high-value vehicles or motorhomes
- Customers who prefer a trusted brand with reliable network coverage
The former CobraTrak brand earned strong recognition in the UK vehicle tracking market. With Vodafone’s acquisition, that heritage is retained, but scaled through enhanced connectivity and integration with vehicle dealer networks.
Trackerfit supplies a full range of Vodafone Automotive trackers. Click here to view available options.