insure.com
Accords and Camrys still the top favorites of auto thieves
By Joe Frey
insure.com
Old habits die hard, especially for auto thieves.
Top 10 stolen vehicles in 1999
Honda Accord
Toyota Camry
Oldsmobile Cutlass
Chevrolet full-size pickup
Honda Civic
Toyota Corolla
Jeep Cherokee
Chevrolet Caprice
Ford Taurus
Chevrolet Cavalier
For the fifth year in a row, the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry maintain the dubious honor of topping the most-stolen vehicles list published by the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB). The list is based on a study of approximately 1.1 million vehicles reported stolen in 1999 to the NICB by law enforcement agencies across the country.
The NICB study confirms a similar report issued in March 2000 by CCC Information Services, a Chicago-based company that tracks stolen vehicle statistics: Hondas and Toyotas are the biggest theft targets.
Regional details: Most-stolen vehicles in 1999 by city
The NICB's study also breaks down thefts for 17 metropolitan areas across the country, which shows the No. 1 stolen vehicle in your area can vary from the most-stolen vehicle nationwide. For example, the Oldsmobile Cutlass is the most-stolen vehicle in Chicago, Columbus, Ohio, New Orleans, and Memphis, Tenn., while the Chevrolet full-sized pickup is most stolen in Phoenix, Ariz., Fresno, Calif., and Dallas, Texas.
It's no surprise that thieves are sweet on Accords and Camrys, however. They are two of the most popular cars on America's roads. "Vehicle thieves follow market trends and target the most popular vehicles because they provide the best market for stolen vehicle parts and illegal export," says Robert Bryant, CEO of NICB.
Another popular vehicle — the Ford Taurus — this year makes its first appearance on the NICB's list. The Chevrolet Caprice and Cavalier also enter the Top 10 for the first time. Michael Erwin, a spokesperson for the NICB, says the reason the Taurus is high on the list is because more businesses use it as a company car, thus putting more of them on the road.
Thieves take more interest in SUVs and trucks
The NICB's study shows an increase in the number of minivans, pickups, and sport utility vehicles (SUV) reported stolen. Fifteen of the 50 most-stolen vehicles areminivans, pickups, or SUVs, and Erwin says the NICB's study from 1995 shows no pickups toward the top of the list. He says the Jeep Cherokee (the No. 7 most-stolen vehicle) has moved up the most among pickups and SUVs.
"I wouldn't be surprised if the Cherokee moves toward the top of the list in the future because there are more of them on the road and there is a market for their parts," Erwin says.
SUVs and pickups are a popular target for thieves because the vehicles themselves fetch a higher price than sedans, especially when exported. The No. 1 destination for stolen, exported SUVs is South America, Erwin says. "But stolen SUVs go everywhere around the world: Europe, Asia, and South Africa," he says.
Last updated Nov. 14, 2000 |
