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Japan's most stolen vehicle is... not what you think

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Old 11-20-2008 | 06:57 PM
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Drumroll please! The most stolen vehicle in Japan is... the Toyota Hiace van! Bet that wasn't your first guess. The lowly Hiace has been creeping up the charts since 2005 when it was barely in the top ten. A year later it was fifth with a bullet. Now it's number one and not looking back. Scofflaws' taste for this workman van seems insatiable, and thefts of SUVs and luxury cars have dropped as a result. That's probably more to do with the anti-theft devices on those vehicles, which may have caused theft rings to target vans such as the Hiace instead because they usually don't have immobilizers or the like. After thieving the vans, they generally chop them up and ship them to developing countries in Asia, the Middle East and Africa. That's where Hiaces often show up as taxis, buses, or utility vehicles. Hiace engines even show up in fishing boats from time-to-time

http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/20/japans-...what-you-think/
Attached Thumbnails Japan's most stolen vehicle is... not what you think-toyota_hiace_van_opt.jpg  
Old 11-21-2008 | 05:05 AM
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Originally Posted by pinguhk' post='727042' date='Nov 21 2008, 02:57 AM
Drumroll please! The most stolen vehicle in Japan is... the Toyota Hiace van! Bet that wasn't your first guess. The lowly Hiace has been creeping up the charts since 2005 when it was barely in the top ten. A year later it was fifth with a bullet. Now it's number one and not looking back. Scofflaws' taste for this workman van seems insatiable, and thefts of SUVs and luxury cars have dropped as a result. That's probably more to do with the anti-theft devices on those vehicles, which may have caused theft rings to target vans such as the Hiace instead because they usually don't have immobilizers or the like. After thieving the vans, they generally chop them up and ship them to developing countries in Asia, the Middle East and Africa. That's where Hiaces often show up as taxis, buses, or utility vehicles. Hiace engines even show up in fishing boats from time-to-time

http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/20/japans-...what-you-think/
Interesting.

Maybe it's the high level lighting that attracts them.
Old 11-21-2008 | 07:35 AM
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never came to thought lol
Old 11-21-2008 | 07:41 AM
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The market always tries to find its own level. Gotta love it!
Old 11-21-2008 | 09:17 AM
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hmmm.... maybe they use it and its perfect for drive-by shooting!
Old 11-21-2008 | 09:31 AM
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Originally Posted by radz550i' post='727671' date='Nov 21 2008, 12:17 PM
hmmm.... maybe they use it and its perfect for drive-by shooting!
ineteresting.... lol
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