That example tracks, exactly, with what the NICB says, Jim. But they
also cite another primary reason for theft - export! To quote from
the news release, "In 1997, 200,000 vehicles were illegally exported
from our country. Auto experts believe most of the vehicles that were
stolen last year either were exported or taken to 'chop shops' where
they were stripped for parts."
John (Old Fartz & TLS #37) Lieberman
JAC73@daimlerchrysler.com wrote:
>
> I've seen "stolen car" lists that also broke it down by the model year stolen.
> What you see is a pattern where the model years correspond with years where
>that
> model was one of the high-volume sellers in that year. For instance, well
>into
> the '90s, the Oldsmobile Cutlass Supremes of the early-to-mid '80s topped the
> charts. Toyota Camrys and Honda Accords moved up the list as they gained in
> popularity. Why? Obviously, more examples of a particular model mean more
>out
> there to be stolen, but also the demand for crash parts increases with the
> number of units out there.
>
> "Crash parts", for those who haven't encountered this term, are the
> easily-replaceable bits most often damaged in collisions -- bumper fascias,
> front fenders, doors, hoods, etc. In a somewhat ironic twist, the trend by
>most
> insurance companies to increasingly specify used or "quality replacement
>parts"
> (translation: cheaply made knock-off parts from Taiwan or Korea) increases the
> demand for "good used parts". Where better to get good used parts than off a
> freshly-stolen car?
>
> Jim Crider
> Repaired a fair number of theft-recovery vehicles for the insurance companies
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