2010 Cadillac Escalade EXT
The Cadillac Escalade is undoubtedly popular with a wide range of people, but especially so with car thieves, who made the luxury SUV and pickup their number one choice for stealing this year. Meanwhile, the Volvo S80 sedan was the least popular with thieves and was 14 times less likely to be stolen when compared to the desirable Escalade.
The information comes from the Highway Loss Data Institute, which worked with the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) in compiling the data. The Cadillac Escalade led the charge for the most stolen luxury vehicles, and captained a number of other large, luxury SUVs as the most stolen vehicles in America. Ford's F-250 truck, as well as the Nissan Pathfinder Armada and a number of Chevy pickups and SUVs also made the top ten list.
However, a number of sports models were also rated high on the list, with the Infiniti G37 rating as the third most stolen, followed by the Hemi-powered Dodge Charger and Chevrolet Corvette Z06 in fourth and fifth spots respectively.
A spokesman for the IIHS postulated that thieves chose large popular vehicles such as the Cadillac Escalade because of their mass appeal, and potential for reselling or parts-stripping. Location was also an important factor, with most family sedans and smaller cars located in garages or other secure locations. These cars also have less expensive parts than large luxury SUVs, and many SUV owners also customize their cars with high-end sound systems, expensive wheels, and bespoke interiors, making them even more attractive to thieves.
The Cadillac Escalade is no stranger to lists such as these, appearing on the top ten most stolen luxury vehicles list for the past couple of years now. This is despite GM's best efforts to beef up its security with technology such as the OnStar system.
America's top ten stolen vehicles is as follows:
1) Cadillac Escalade
2) Ford F-250 Crew 4WD
3) Infiniti G37 Coupe
4) Dodge Charger HEMI
5) Chevrolet Corvette Z06
6) HUMMER H2 4WD
7) Nissan Pathfinder Armada
8) Chevrolet Avanlance 1500
9) Chevrolet Silverado Crew 1500
10) GMC Yukon
[HLDI via The Car Connection]
