Looks like it - and Merc - who else?
It's the same as the premise of Battlestar Galactica - all the shiny new ships get hacked and destroy by the Cylons, while all the old school 'keys in the ignition' ships are unharmed as they are just too damned simple data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7
One answer could be for several different companies to supply incompatible modules for locking/immobiliser and the car manufacturers to randomly fit these to each car, only the manufacturer knows which device is fitted.
How long before a thief can whisper through the letterbox 'Alexa, start the car'?
Happened to my brother a few weeks ago. Someone broke into the house and nicked a set of keys, turns out they were the works van parked down the road so they threw them in a garden and legged it.
My brother installed CCTV and beefed up the security but they returned a couple of weeks later. You could see on the CCTV two blokes in balaclavas waving somthing around the windows and doors then one get some ladders and does the same on the upstairs windows. Next thing they are both in the car and speed off up the road. So quick and my brothers 4 month old M2 is probably in a shipping container somewhere.
Haven't seen anything about recent Mercs on this to be honest....I guess I could try it data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7
https://www.avforums.com/attachments/fullsizeoutput_b6f-jpeg.944962/
Let us know how it goes.
For the record, and any law enforcement agencies watching, if/when I do this I will do it on my own vehicle data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7
That's how it always starts...
I was expecting keyless entry and start on my Golf GTD, standard on Mk7s only to be told that it was now an optional extra on Mk7.5s because of security risks and by ordering one you would be made aware of probable issues. Whether this was salesman's BS I know not.
In 1970s I was working with a guy who had a Ford Mk II Cortina. He lost the keys and had to make do with a pen knife!
If anyone steal my car I hope they crash and die.