America's Top Ten Most Stolen Vehicles
NICB Releases Annual 'Hot Wheels' Report: America's Top Ten Most Stolen Vehicles
Finally, someone knocks Honda off of the top of a "MOST" list... but Toyota (Prius) still leads the field in catalytic converter theft.
By Doug Stokes
Fri, Oct 15, 2021 02:27 PM PST
Numbers, numbers, numbers... Here's the latest stats on what's hot in the hot-wiring world ... TRUCKS!
Pick-em-up trucks - full size pickups specifically - are now first and second on the US list of most stolen vehicles, with a whopping 80+ thousand (that's 8 and 4 zeros behind) stolen last year. We'll note that Fords are being out-stolen by a few percentage points over Chevys.
This distressing information comes down to us from the very auspiciously-named NICB, which is NOT pronounced "nice b" but stands for National Insurance Crime Bureau. The important-sounding outfit is doing their best in advising you how to NOT get your vehicle stolen, the altruism of which is somewhat overshadowed by the fact that if your (insured) vehicle is stolen, they will have to pay you back the money that you've paid for insurance, and then some.
The bottom line is that the insurance companies all want you to stay healthy, clear dry brush away from your house, prepare for earthquakes, and take your car keys out of the ignition lock when you leave the car. Other than that, have a nice day and don't forget that your insurance payment is due on the 10th.
An Educated Guess (Prediction)
I think that our friends over at Mattel might well have concern, and even take some offense, at the NICB's use of the words "Hot" and "Wheels". If that one goes to any sort of legal circumstance I think the Mattel peeps will prevail. Time will test (and tell).
About The Author
Doug has a long and wide-ranging history in the motoring business. He served five years as the Executive Director of the International Kart Federation, and was the PR guy for the Mickey Thompson's Off-Road Championship Gran Prix. He worked racing PR for both Honda and Suzuki and was a senior PR person on the first Los Angeles (Vintage) Grand Prix. He was also the first PR Manager for Perris Auto Speedway, and spent over 20 years as the VP of Communications at Irwindale Speedway. Stokes is the recipient of the American Autowriters and Broadcaster’s 2005 Chapman Award for Excellence in Public Relations and was honored in 2015 by the Motor Press Guild with their Dean Batchelor Lifetime Achievement Award. “… I’ve also been reviewing automobiles and books for over 20 years, and really enjoy my LA Car assignments.” he added.
