Rising Vehicle Thefts: Alert for Industries and Car Owners

Stepping out of your house to go to work, you realize your car is missing. This is a heartbreaking moment and a growing concern for the US government. Vehicle theft becomes a major issue in the US, with a car stolen every 32 seconds, costing owners over $8 billion in 2022 alone.

Despite a drop in overall violent crime, motor vehicle theft rates have remarkably gone up since 2020. We thoroughly analyzed auto theft statistics by state and identified some key points:

• Coastal states have higher car thefts rates due to easy border access.

• Half of the Top 10 stolen vehicles in 2022 remained best-sellers in 2023.

• 23% of victims are targeted by acquaintances like family, friends, and neighbors.

• Most motor vehicle thefts occur at residences, streets and parking lots where owners often let their guard down.

• Chevrolet and Ford Pick-Up (Full Size) are the most-stolen vehicles in 2022.

The status quo of auto thefts in the United States

Auto thefts in the US have been increasing despite a drop in violent crimes since 2020. Various factors such as economic downturn, social media and stress contribute to this rise. Colorado is notably affected by car thefts, partly due to the pandemic creating more homeless people who steal cars for shelter rather than profit. Repeat offenders also play a role, with 95% of thefts having prior arrests for vehicle theft. To address this issue, lawmakers have made all auto thefts a felony to deter criminals.

States with high theft rates along the west coast face challenges due to easy border access, allowing offenders to transport stolen cars to Mexico. Insiders stated that the Mexico cartel is known to acquire US cars for various purposes, including conflicts with rivals and the military.

Most stolen vehicles are best-selling pickups

Statistics show that half of the most frequently stolen car brands are among the Top 10 Best-selling cars. In 2022, Chevrolet and Ford were the most stolen brands, with 49,903 and 48,175 thefts, respectively, and intriguingly they are also the top 2 best-selling brands.

Thieves target the pickups because their parts, such as catalytic converters, are in high demand. The market for converters has expanded due to the popularity of eco-friendly vehicles, and valuable parts such as catalytic converters of Ford F-150 containing precious metals like platinum, palladium, and rhodium. Besides, some stolen pickups are taken as whole vehicles, often ending up in African countries where there is a high demand for rugged off-road vehicles.

Vehicle theft rates partly impact insurance costs

Auto insurance rates have increased by 19.1% year on year. Despite the frequency of catastrophic events directly influencing the insurance costs, vehicle thefts also impact insurance costs to some extent. For example, the average annual full-coverage car insurance is about $2006. States with vehicle theft rates higher than the national average pay about $2158 for insurance, while those with lower vehicle theft rates pay about $1949 for insurance.

Rising Part Prices Fuels The Attention of Car Thieves

Both new vehicles and car parts, whether aftermarket or manufacturer, are getting pricier, surpassing the inflation rates.

The rising prices of car parts is helping fuel an increase in vehicle thefts. One example is the theft of catalytic converters, which contain precious metals and have been a target for thieves for years. The catalytic converters replacement can cost from $200 to $2,500. Despite the increasing popularity of electric vehicles that do not have catalytic converters, other items of value also hold significant value. Those so-called chop shops disassemble stolen vehicles and sell the valuable parts on the black market.

Social media becomes a hub for increasing car thefts

In May 2022, a documentary on YouTube exposed Kia Boys, car theft perpetrators. Afterwards a viral video on Tiktok in July 2022 demonstrated how to steal a car with a USB connector, leading to a rise in thefts of Hyundai and Kia vehicles across the country. Although the video was removed within two weeks, it had a significant impact.

In the first half of 2022, Kia and Hyundai thefts were a small part of all car thefts, but they suddenly spiked after the "Kia Boys" documentary and the Kia Challenge trend on TikTok. By the end of 2022, it reached 70.3% in Dayton. This highlights the importance for authorities to enhance supervision of social media.

Surprising locations and unexpected victims of vehicle thefts

Contrary to popular belief, residential homes are the most common locations for auto thefts at 33%, followed by streets with 25% and parking lots with 23%. Surprisingly, owners tend to lose their vigilance when their cars are parked in familiar or perceived safe areas. Additionally, it is unexpected that offenders may target people they know, such as family, friends, and neighbors, making up 23% of victims.

Tips about how to protect your cars

To protect your vehicles from theft, follow these tips: Park in a well-lit area and always lock your car. Research shows that many vehicle thefts occur because owners make it easy for thieves - 31% don't lock their cars, and 80% of stolen cars are unlocked. Leaving keys in the ignition led to 40% of auto thefts. Thefts have increased 56% since 2015 due to this complacency.

Once your car is stolen, call the police immediately as over 85% of stolen vehicles in 2022 were eventually recovered, with 34% found the same day and 45% within 48 hours. Additionally, consider using anti-theft devices like steering wheel locks, GPS and alarms. You can also earn a discount of up to 23% on car insurance for using these devices. It is best to check with the local insurer first about specific regulations in your state.

Methodology

We gathered data from Crime Data Explorer to analyze the regional patterns of vehicle thefts in the US and reasons behind the facts. By looking at the Top 10 stolen in 2022 and Top 10 sold vehicles in 2023 from NICB and CNBC, we discovered that popular pickup trucks are often the most targeted.

In our research on auto thefts, we examined the causes and impacts using information from NOAA and various police departments. We found that factors like social media such as TikTok, and the increasing cost of car parts lure thieves. Car thefts can partly influence insurance rates.

We also visually depicted the locations and victims of vehicle thefts to reveal some surprising findings.

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