Toyota Tops Most Stolen Auto List

NU Online News Service, Feb. 26, 2:04 p.m.EST?The 1989 Toyota Camry toped the national popularitylist of the top-10 most stolen cars in the U.S., the NationalInsurance Crime Bureau reported.[@@]

The Palos Hills, Ill.-based association put the Camry firstamong vehicles stolen for parts or export overseas in 2002.

Other vehicles making the NICB top 10 were:

2. The 1994 Honda Accord.

3. The 2000 Honda Civic.

4. The 1992 Chevrolet full-size C/K pickup.

5. The 1997 Ford full-size pickup (models - 150/250/350).

6. The 1993 Jeep Cherokee/Grand Cherokee.

7. The 1986 Oldsmobile Cutless, Supreme, Ciera.

8. The 1994 Dodge Caravan/Grand Caravan.

9. The 1996 Ford Taurus.

10. The 2001 Toyota Corolla.

Robert M. Bryant, president and chief executive officer of NICB,said vehicles are stolen for parts that are either no longermanufactured or are difficult or expensive to obtain. The vehiclesare also stolen for export to Central and South America and Europe,he said.

According to the FBI, 1.2 million vehicles were stolennationally in 2002, up 1.4 percent from 2001.

Additional information on stolen vehicles is available at theNICB's Web site at www.nicb.org.

The NICB said it compiles its top-10 list using figures from itsvehicle theft database.