With 5 million Altima models sold, Nissan’s highest volume vehicle is a major U.S. export. Thieves like it too because there is a huge market for its parts.
The Nissan Altima, Ford Fusion, F-Series pickup truck, Toyota Corolla, and Chevrolet Impala headed the list of the most oft stolen 2013 model-year vehicles. The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) in its annual Hot Wheels report said that the rest of the top ten 2013 model year victims were owners of the Hyundai Elantra, Dodge Charger, Chevrolet Malibu, Chevrolet Cruze and the Ford Focus.
NICB says that a vehicle being stolen every 45 seconds and this results in losses of more than $4 billion a year.
In terms of sheer numbers for 2013, the most stolen vehicles in the nation were (total thefts in parentheses) were:
1. Honda Accord (53,995)
2. Honda Civic (45,001)
3. Chevrolet Pickup (Full Size) (27,809)
4. Ford Pickup (Full Size) (26,494)
5. Toyota Camry (14,420)
6. Dodge Pickup (Full Size) (11,347)
7. Dodge Caravan (10,911)
8. Jeep Cherokee/Grand Cherokee (9,272)
9. Toyota Corolla (9,010)
10. Nissan Altima (8,892)
After an increase in 2012, the FBI now predicts a reduction in national vehicle thefts of 3.2% when final 2013 statistics are released later this year. The peak year for vehicle thefts was 1991 at 1,661,738. If the FBI’s 2013 vehicle theft estimate holds, thefts will be under 700,000—a reduction in vehicle thefts of more than 50% since 1991.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
