CNN: Most Stolen Cars

[Untamed]

Cadillac Escalade still tops among car thieves
Luxury SUV also comes in as most expensive in theft insurance claims at nearly $18,000.
June 7, 2006; Posted: 11:18 a.m. EDT (1518 GMT)



WASHINGTON (Reuters) - GM, Chrysler and Ford want to make more cars that people are keen to buy but they already have a few models that people like to steal.

For the fourth straight year, GM's luxury Cadillac Escalade topped the list of late-model vehicles most coveted by thieves, according to an analysis of theft claims in 2005 by the insurance industry.

Ford's F-250/350 large pickup truck was in the top five most stolen models along with the Dodge Ram 1500 quad cab pickup and the Sebring four-door sedan, both made by Chrysler.

Pickups have become more popular among car thieves as their sales have grown.

The high-performance Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution four-door sedan was also among the most stolen models for the first time. Investigators suspect it may attract thieves because its parts can be used to customize the standard Lancer.

The Ford Taurus and the Pontiac Vibe and Buick LeSabre, both made by GM, were among the least stolen models.

Investigators affiliated with the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, which represents insurance companies on safety and consumer issues, examined claims for vehicles between 1 and 3 years old.

The results showed the Escalade represented the most theft insurance claims at more than 13 per 1,000 vehicles in 2005. It also had the most expensive claims at $17,913.

"Almost one-quarter of theft claims for the Escalade are for $40,000 or more, indicating that thieves often are stealing the whole vehicles and not just their parts," said Kim Hazelbaker, the executive who oversaw the analysis.

"It's got pop culture appeal. It's got buzz. It's desirable," said insurance institute spokesman Russ Rader.

Rader noted that newer vehicles are often stolen by professionals for export. But he said Escalades, with a price tag of more than $60,000 and features like leather seats, a navigation system and satellite radio, are sometimes found on blocks stripped of interior parts.

The Escalade's theft losses have been highest in recent years even though it is equipped with a device that's supposed to prevent starting without the proper key.

GM has redesigned the Escalade for 2007 and upgraded its electronic anti-theft system, but the insurance group said it is too soon to know if that will reduce the theft rate.

[Tsar]

i thouught civic was the most stolen POS out there, guess not

[BigAls87Z28]

The Power of the Bling.
I dont see anyone hijackin Pilots or Highlanders.

[jola]

phew...95 firebirds aren't on the list.

i too believed civics were #1. if i were to steal a car, it would defintely be a nice big p/u or a vette.

[V]

well... that list that puts Escalades at the top is based on "an analysis of theft claims in 2005 by the insurance industry" It is not based on stolen vehicle reports. Civics, accords and camrys are possibly still high on the stolen list, but not every civic and such has theft coverage, so if it gets stolen the insurance company isnt gonna add it to their numbers if its not insured with full coverage.

[enRo]

[Untamed]

Good point. In fact, now that I think of it, I drive a Camry and there is an insurance primium put on Camry's simply because they are higher on the list of stolen vehicles (I have full coverage).

The article caught my eye, not just because its a car story, but because the Escalade was tops on that list. I didn't think the stolen parts market was very high for that car, but... meh.

[12secondv6]

Neons aren't on the list because of the SUPERIOR neon anti theft devices.... similar to a monkey in the trunk..... but the neon monkey is angry and wears pants!