Car thieves avoiding Toyota Prius

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Nov 21, 2012 | 11:29 PM

Hoovey689

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Car thieves avoiding Toyota Prius

The National Insurance Crime Bureau has taken a closer look at how often car thieves target the Toyota Prius. As it turns out, the most popular hybrid on US roads has a very low theft rate, and when it does get stolen, law enforcement are quick to return the machine to its rightful owners. All told, 2008-2012 Prius models saw a theft rate of one in 606 vehicles compared to one in 78 for all models on the road from the same model year period. Just 2,439 Prius hybrids were stolen in the US between September 4, 2000 and June 30, 2012.

Not surprisingly, California holds the dubious honor of taking the lion's share of those thefts, with 1,062. Florida took second place with 127, followed by New York, Washington and Texas. Toyota has sold 1.2 million Prius models in the US, which means the vehicle constitutes more than half of all hybrid vehicles on the road today.

http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/21/c...-toyota-prius/

Nov 21, 2012 | 11:47 PM

1sWt2GS

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of course they have low theft numbers, why would anyone want a Prius

Nov 22, 2012 | 12:18 AM

Hoovey689

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Quote:

Originally Posted by 1sWt2GS

of course they have low theft numbers, why would anyone want a Prius

I'm thinking the low power and cumbersome handling would deter anyone from stealing one should they have the 5-0 on their tail

Nov 22, 2012 | 03:08 AM

Stormwind

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From: CA

That is a dangerous car for a thief to steal as they have a high risk falling asleep in the middle of stealing it because of how boring that toaster oven is. Then the thief wakes up just to find cops surrounding it, most of them yawning.

Nov 22, 2012 | 03:34 AM

caddyowner

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Hey, I represent that! LOL

Nov 22, 2012 | 07:48 AM

Mortis101

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Sorry bro, sometimes getting great fuel mileage isn't that exciting.

Nov 22, 2012 | 09:18 AM

tex2670

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From: Southeastern PA

just wait a few years when the batteries start going--then the theft rate will kick right up.

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Nov 22, 2012 | 11:00 AM

Hoovey689

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From: California

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mortis101

Sorry bro, sometimes getting great fuel mileage isn't that exciting.

that's what TRD accessories are for

Nov 22, 2012 | 12:02 PM

#10

mmarshall

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From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hoovey2411

I'm thinking the low power and cumbersome handling would deter anyone from stealing one should they have the 5-0 on their tail

Hoovey's got a point (it's relatively easy for cops to pursue)....but I think the main reason it's shunned by thieives is that driving a typical Prius is about as much fun as watching paint dry, even by my conservative standards.

The typical Prius owner (though, admittedly, this is somewhat of a stereotype) probably also spends a lot of time on his or her bicycle.

Last edited by mmarshall; Nov 22, 2012 at 12:07 PM.

Nov 22, 2012 | 01:07 PM

#11

Fizzboy7

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From: California

Article is misleading and incomplete. One reads the title and thinks they are going to discover WHY thieves are avoiding them. Now we are left to guess. I don't think it's the boring ride or slow speed. Most cars are stolen for parts and the black market. The unconventional Pruis obviously doesn't have much customizing desire to support this.