Below is a link to a recently broadcast news magazine story on stolen cars in Canada, including the RX. The infuriating thing for us Lexus owners is that they (Lexus) do have more theft mitigation technology in cars sold in the UK than here. I was under the misguided impression that those features were installed across the board/globe, not so. Watch and see.


Although they talk only about Lexus RX in the piece, this should and can apply across the board for all Lexus vehicles as all models are subject to theft, including my NX. They have the tech, it's available and it helps. In my view it's not costly, so why don't they install it here? I have drafted a letter to Lexus Canada and am trying to find the right address to send it to. If anyone knows the email of the president of the company, or any senior executive, would appreciate getting that. We should all do the same. In mine I am unequivocal. I tell them how disgusted I am that they don't have that installed here and that I will not buy another Lexus until they do put that in.

 

Honestly Canada is dealing with organized gangs making millions providing desired vehicles to the third world. UK actually does as well even with Lexus. The gangs will adapt to whatever changes are made. Lexus encrypted the CAN-bus to stop thefts from the headlight area and the gangs overcame it in less than a year. They'll eventually circumvent anything the factory does. The best security is layers you add above the factory because they will not be expected and harder to overcome.

 

 

Another thing seems to have come up recently. The gangs appear to have finally broken the encryption and can attack through the headlight wiring on Gen5s now.

 

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toron...rity-1.7521733 But there is almost no checking of containers at the ports, and the "justice" system is catch and release. BTW, it is pretty easy to hack the code with about $100 worth of parts.

 

In Montreal nice cars get stolen from parking garages and streets and are in containers at the Port of Montreal in very short order...still amazes me how prevalent this is in Canada, you guys are so civilized!
We were in rural Quebec a few days ago, glad the car was still there after we ate lunch (does not seem to be an issue out in the sticks).

 

Under a minute to remove that thing by drilling the lock. But it might encourage a thief to move to another car.

 

There are YouTube Videos that show that device being defeated in a couple of minutes.

 

But thats a couple of minutes a thef might not have.

My 2024 RX was stolen from a hotel parking lot just outside of Toronto back February. There was one other RX in the lot and it had a club on it. The cops busted the local group that was responsible 2 weeks later, long after my RX has been shipped overseas. Of the 8 of them, 6 were out on bail already.

 

Ouch!!! May I ask where outside of Toronto? I am in the area numerous times each year.

 

And they were probably set loose and back to work next day. Absolutely no consequence for car theft in Canada and high rewards. No wonder is number one global source for stolen vehicles.

 

Sandman Hotel in Oakville. The police told me these groups often target hotels and other longer term parking areas. Home invasions where the thieves simply steal the car keys is another common one.

They only held 2 of them. Others were released.

 

Ya, there are motels near the Montreal airport where, if you spend the night, they will let you leave your car during your trip and avoid paying parking fees at the airport, but sometimes the car isn't there when you return. Same for the parking garage at the airport. Not good.

 

I usually stay one exit west of there. Maybe I should rent a car when I come in the future!