Cars are expensive. Other than a house, perhaps, few purchases we make will compare to a new car. And just like any other expensive asset, a car brings with it a secondary cost -- the risk of theft. In some laid-back parts of the world, locking the doors may be enough to ward off the threat. Everywhere else, it's a good idea to arm yourself -- and your car -- with some security.
On the bright side, car thefts have been steadily decreasing in recent years; fewer than 1 million cars were stolen in the United States in 2009 [source: NICB]. That's the lowest number in two decades, and car security has come a long way during that time period. For instance, more than 30 car models from General Motors come equipped with OnStar, a car safety device that provides everything from turn-by-turn navigation to stolen vehicle tracking and remote ignition blocking [source: OnStar]. Technological marvel that it is, OnStar's just the tip of the iceberg -- a bevy of high-tech car security systems track cars via GPS or radio, and can even kill the ignition from afar.
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Modern security systems run the gamut from pre-installed helpful components like OnStar to top-of-the-line options like LoJack. Read on to learn about 10 amazing car security systems, including affordable everyday solutions, military Smartrucks and DNA-recognition systems straight out of the future.