[Allpar News System]

Automotive News recently reported on the most and least stolen cars, per thousand vehicles produced, based on statistics from an insurance group (HLDI) and the government (NHTSA). The insurance group’s list is based on claims made, and the government’s list is based on police reports filed. The insurance group shows a much higher rate of theft, in general. Topping the insurance group’s list are no less than five pickups, followed by five GM SUVs and pickups; no Chryslers are on their “most stolen” list, which is topped by Ford F-250 Crew 4WD, and consists of eight GMs and two Fords.  There are, however, two on the insurance group’s “least stolen” list: Dodge Journey and Jeep Compass. Journey was the least stolen vehicle, according to theft claims of model year 2010-2012 vehicles, with Volkswagen Tiguan and Audi A4 making up the rest of the top three.

Going by actual police reports,..

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[UN4GTBL]

AFAIK, the Charger has always had a chipped key, so that means that to steal them, they are being towed away for the most part. (I understand that there are devices that allow vehicles with "chipped" keys to be stolen as well however) or the keys are being taken from the owner in some way as well.

It means that they are probably not just opportunity thefts, but planned thefts.

 

[valiant67]

It's kind of ironic that the Charger is so high on the most stolen list when it's also the car of choice for many police departments.
Imagine if the Ford Crown Vic (aka Police Interceptor) had been one of the hottest cars to steal.

 

[Dave Z]

It's possible that's the reason. When someone steals a police car (I've often seen officers leaving them running while they go out for pizza, when I lived in New Brunswick [NJ]), it's going to get reported!

 

[FreeLantz]

I hate to introduce what may be a controversial statement, but all the head-scratching over why Chargers are being stolen is a little laughable to me. Charger is popular with a subset of the "hip-hop crowd" (and despite hip-hop having origins in the black community - as did jazz, R&B, and most other popular American music besides banjo-pickin' - this is NOT a racial designation... before anyone takes it that way). They are mostly young, mostly lower income, and mostly uneducated, and come from all racial backgrounds. They can't afford one so they go out and take someone else's. You don't have to look too hard at who is driving the older Chargers in large American cities to understand why the newer ones have become a target. The number of crimes committed in Houston where a Dodge Charger is involved is staggering. About a month ago there was a gun fight in the middle of a freeway here involving two of them.

Chrysler (the Daimler-era company) is partly responsible for this because right out of the box in 2005-06, they marketed the car with the wrong message. It was predicted by many right here on this board that the car would be a target for thieves as a result. Today, with both Charger and 300, the cheap 2.7-liter models that could be had with low miles (from rental fleets mostly) in the previous generation are gone. The marketing message is also completely different today, but the stigma remains to a degree and will for a while.


Some links:

http://www.khou.com/news/crime/HPD-Thieves-steal-rental-cars-commit-other-crimes-179419781.html

http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/story?section=news/local&id=9094060

http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/story?section=news/local&id=9059424

http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/story?section=news/local&id=8974896

And lest we forget this genius from just a few weeks ago: http://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20130522/south-austin/man-allegedly-steals-dodge-charger-with-car-salesman-inside

 

[digitalrailroader]

well isn't THAT nice, My Little Aveo Made the MOST STOLEN List...

 

[Dave Z]

FreeLantz, you're quite probably right, and with the more dignified 300 look, that car has probably dropped away from that demographic.

 

[tomaz]

I hate to introduce what may be a controversial statement, but all the head-scratching over why Chargers are being stolen is a little laughable to me. Charger is popular with a subset of the "hip-hop crowd" (and despite hip-hop having origins in the black community - as did jazz, R&B, and most other popular American music besides banjo-pickin' - this is NOT a racial designation... before anyone takes it that way). They are mostly young, mostly lower income, and mostly uneducated, and come from all racial backgrounds. They can't afford one so they go out and take someone else's. You don't have to look too hard at who is driving the older Chargers in large American cities to understand why the newer ones have become a target. The number of crimes committed in Houston where a Dodge Charger is involved is staggering. About a month ago there was a gun fight in the middle of a freeway here involving two of them.

Chrysler (the Daimler-era company) is partly responsible for this because right out of the box in 2005-06, they marketed the car with the wrong message. It was predicted by many right here on this board that the car would be a target for thieves as a result. Today, with both Charger and 300, the cheap 2.7-liter models that could be had with low miles (from rental fleets mostly) in the previous generation are gone. The marketing message is also completely different today, but the stigma remains to a degree and will for a while.


Some links:

http://www.khou.com/news/crime/HPD-Thieves-steal-rental-cars-commit-other-crimes-179419781.html

http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/story?section=news/local&id=9094060

http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/story?section=news/local&id=9059424

http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/story?section=news/local&id=8974896

And lest we forget this genius from just a few weeks ago: http://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20130522/south-austin/man-allegedly-steals-dodge-charger-with-car-salesman-inside

It has NOTHING to do with Race. Most Cars are not Stolen to be another persons ride, Its Stolen and striped for Parts. Everyone knows Chargers are everywhere and with more vehicles on the roads, that leads to more Chargers needing Factory replacement parts that are CHEAPER than the dealership.

 

[FreeLantz]

Agreed. Nothing to do with race, everything to do with socio-economic background. And we could argue all day about the causes, but let's not.

I want to buck the trend myself so might consider a Charger as my next daily driver. True, a Challenger is what I really want, but sometimes I think having a usable backseat in at least one of my vehicles would be nice. :lol:

 

[crouchta]

My (almost) daughter-in-law had her's stolen last week......