Well, its really not new, nor is it big news. Car companies have had coded keys for about 10-15 years. It's only been the last 5 or so that the technology has trickled down to virtually every car, not just elite or expensive high end. Heck, MB and BMW have done away with the cut tooth key and tumbler ignition as we know it on their high end models. On BMW 7-series, you insert the ignition tool which kind of resembles a key, but it really isn't. You stick the piece into the dashboard where it's marked and the car is in accessory mode. Then you press the start button to start the engine. That device contains an actual electronic circuit which tells the car's ECM and ignition to "wake up". On Mercedes, you insert a similar device, turn it to accessory, and press the fob itself to start the car. My aunt's 1992 Buick LeSabre has Pass-Key, which is the easiest and cheapest way to code a key. Just a little chip resistor. When it first came out in 1989, it was great. But it only took about a year for theives to learn how to defeat it. Transponders are much more difficult to defeat, but they can be done. The ignition fobs that MB and BMW have are the first real theft ignition protection. Because the cars are so computer oriented, you'd need an engineering degree to understand how to hotwire it.