Full-Size Pickups Top the List for Vehicle Thefts
Monday, July 31st, 2023 AutoThe National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), an association dedicated to predicting, preventing, and prosecuting insurance crime, recently released its analysis on vehicle theft trends in the United States.
According to the NICB report, full-size pickups took the lead as the most stolen type of vehicle in 2022. Among them, Chevrolet pickups ranked as the most frequently stolen brand, closely followed by Ford pickups.
The report reveals that full-size pickups accounted for over 25 percent of the total reported thefts in 2022. Although this remains a significant portion, it shows a decrease from the previous year’s high of 33 percent in 2021.
The surge in vehicle theft rates began during the pandemic, but the NICB’s analysis indicates that recovery rates have also seen an increase. Remarkably, more than 85 percent of the passenger vehicles reported stolen in 2022 were successfully recovered. Of these recovered vehicles, approximately 34 percent were found within a day of being reported stolen, indicating swift action by authorities.
David J. Glawe, the President and CEO of the National Insurance Crime Bureau, highlighted the magnitude of vehicle theft in the U.S. "Vehicle theft is a multi-billion-dollar industry in the United States," he stated. "Approximately one motor vehicle is stolen every 32 seconds, which adds up to more than one million vehicles stolen last year."
Sedans, including Honda, Hyundai, and Kia models, followed full-size pickups in the vehicle theft rankings. Interestingly, the recovery rates for Hyundai and Kia vehicles ranged between 87 and 95 percent, showing promising outcomes in retrieving stolen sedans.
Social media trends were identified as a likely factor influencing the rise in theft rates for certain vehicle brands in 2022. The report sheds light on the impact of online presence and promotion on criminal activities related to auto theft.
