WESTWOOD, Mass. — LoJack Corporation unveiled a self-powered stolen vehicle recovery system that doesn’t draw any power from a vehicle’s battery or electrical system, making it ideal for hybrid and electric cars.

With the growing number of features and devices installed and utilized in today’s vehicles, there is an increasing need to reduce the draw on a vehicle’s battery to enable maximum vehicle performance and efficiency. The next generation stolen vehicle recovery system answers the needs of original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) that are seeking to implement intelligent power management systems in new cars.

“As we looked to the future of the automotive market and held discussions with OEMs and our international licensees, it was clear that there was a need for a new generation of aftermarket products that are self-powered and optimized for newer vehicles,” said Ronald V. Waters, LoJack Corporation’s president and CEO. “This new stolen vehicle recovery system directly answers that market demand and places LoJack in a strong position moving forward for the automotive market.”

Unlike GPS-based aftermarket products that draw power from a vehicle’s electrical system, the self powered LoJack solution helps retain battery power. The new system doesn't have to be connected to the vehicle’s electrical system, which makes the installation process easier and increases the number of locations inside the vehicle where the unit may be hidden.

LoJack's new self-powered stolen vehicle recovery system will be available for distribution through the company’s international licensees in the fourth quarter of this year and rolled out in the United States in the first quarter of 2010.