Rising Car Part Prices Fuel Increased Car Thefts

10 Apr 2018

A recent research study conducted by the National Insurance Crime Bureau reveals that criminals are targeting specific vehicles to strip them of their expensive parts. The bureau explains that technology and the increase in expensive parts has contributed to the increase in car theft.

Vehicles such as the 2016 Toyota Camry, 2016 Nissan Altima and 2016 GMC Sierra pickup truck are often targeted for expensive stand-alone parts.

The bureau highlighted that the most stolen vehicle in 2016, the Toyota Camry, has 15 parts that are worth over $11,000 combined.

The 2016 GMC Sierra pickup has a rear bumper worth more than $1,100 alone. These highly priced replacement parts are commonly taken from the vehicle and sold as stand-alone parts.

The bureau’s Senior Vice President, Jim Schweitzer, explains that the practice of stealing vehicles and dismantling them for parts was already a lucrative endeavor in the past, but today’s cars and trucks are frequently assembled with parts that are worth more than the entire intact car.

FBI statistics indicate that motor vehicle theft increased in the United States last year by over four percent. While many of these stolen cars were recovered, most were stripped of rims, wheels or other expensive parts.

GPS tracking technology can be utilized by car owners to help recover their vehicle in the event they are a victim of car theft. Active GPS tracking for cars can relay your vehicle’s position to law enforcement which can lead them to your vehicle before it’s stripped of its valuable parts.

The police discourage citizens from tracking down their own private property. Toronto Police Officer Sgt. Tm Burrows explains that pursing a stolen vehicle can be just as dangerous as chasing a drunk driver, so don’t take the risk of pursing the criminal yourself. Report the incident, and inform the police about your GPS tracking device.

Do you own one of the top 10 2016 model vehicles stolen listed by the NICB: 2016 Toyota Camry, 2016 Nissan Altima and 2016 GMC Sierra? If so, have you considered getting a GPS tracker?

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About George Karonis

George Karonis is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of LiveViewGPS Inc., a company he established in 2008 with the vision of making real-time GPS tracking more reliable, affordable, and accessible for businesses of all sizes. Over the past two decades, he has built a reputation as an innovator in GPS tracking, fleet management, asset monitoring, and Push-to-Talk over Cellular (PTToC) communications. Under George's leadership, LiveViewGPS has grown into a nationally recognized provider of GPS tracking solutions, serving businesses, government agencies, educational institutions, law enforcement organizations, and public works departments throughout the United States. The company's technology helps organizations improve operational efficiency, protect valuable assets, increase driver safety, and reduce operating costs through real-time location intelligence. Before founding LiveViewGPS, George developed a background in security, surveillance, and emerging location technologies. His passion for innovation and practical problem solving has driven the development of products that combine dependable hardware with easy-to-use cloud software, giving customers actionable information when it matters most. In 2018, George expanded into nationwide Push-to-Talk over Cellular communications by launching PeakPTT, providing businesses with rugged, instant communication solutions that operate over LTE and Wi-Fi networks. His focus has remained the same throughout his career: delivering dependable technology backed by exceptional customer service and long-term customer relationships. George regularly writes about GPS tracking, fleet management, asset protection, business technology, and communication systems. Through this blog, he shares industry insights, practical advice, and emerging trends to help organizations make informed decisions about tracking technology and connected operations.