Sept. 30, 2010
Data: 9 of Top 10 stolen cars are Chryslers
Nine of the Top 10 most-stolen vehicles in the state that’s home to the American auto industry remain Chrysler products, according to a new data released today.
The Michigan Auto Theft Prevention Authority said the 2000 Dodge Caravan minivan was the most stolen vehicle in 2009. Different model years of the Caravan, in fact, account for five of the 10 most stolen vehicles statewide. The only other automaker in the Top 10 was Ford, in 10th place with its 1997 Taurus.
Given the state’s auto heritage, “the top stolen vehicles in Michigan are always domestic cars,” said Terri Miller, executive director of Livonia-based Help Eliminate Auto Theft, which provides rewards for tips that help bust car thieves and chop shops, with tips taken at 800-242-4328 or the Web site
Report Auto Theft Now!.
Chrysler models from the late 1990s and early 2000s are particularly targeted because they’re known as “easy to steal” and weren’t built with security equipment such as engine immobilizers, Miller said. There’s also a larger black market for airbags and other parts from stolen American-model vehicles in Michigan.
Nationwide, foreign automakers lead the most-stolen list, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, with the 1994 Honda Accord favored most by thieves.
Dan Vartanian, executive director of the prevention authority, said annual vehicle thefts in Michigan fell by 16% in 2009, part of a long-term drop.
“That’s a trend that’s been going on since 1986. Since then, auto thefts have decreased 59%,” Vartanian said. “That’s good, although we still have a problem, because we had almost 30,000 vehicles stolen in 2009.”
Vehicles are taken most often for joy-riding, for parts and for black-market export overseas.
Many cars that are stolen are easy prey, Vartanian said, left with windows down or with keys still in the ignition. He said preventives including alarms, engine disablers, steering wheel locks, and etching vehicle identification numbers, or VINs, onto vehicle windows are the best deterrents.
Top 12 stolen vehicle models in Michigan in 2009
1. 2000 Dodge Caravan
2. 1999 Dodge Caravan
3. 2000 Dodge Intrepid
4. 1998 Dodge Caravan
5. 1996 Dodge Caravan
6. 1999 Dodge Intrepid
7. 2000 Jeep Cherokee
8. 1997 Dodge Caravan
9. 2002 Dodge Intrepid
10. 1997 Ford Taurus
11. 2007 GMC Yukon
12. 1999 Ford Taurus
Top 10 stolen vehicle models nationwide in 2009
1. 1994 Honda Accord
2. 1995 Honda Civic
3. 1991 Toyota Camry
4. 1997 Ford F-150 Pickup
5. 2004 Dodge Ram Pickup
6. 2000 Dodge Caravan
7. 1994 Chevrolet Pickup (full size)
8. 1994 Acura Integra
9. 2002 Ford Explorer
10. 2009 Toyota Corolla
Sources: Michigan Auto Theft Prevention Authority, National Insurance Crime Bureau
Read more: Data: 9 of Top 10 stolen cars are Chryslers | freep.com | Detroit Free Press
Data: 9 of Top 10 stolen cars are Chryslers | freep.com | Detroit Free Press
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