Car - Michigan car thieves still prefer the Big Three

Michigan car thieves still prefer the Big Three

AP PhotoThe 1996 Dodge Caravan, the definition of a "joy ride."

When it comes to auto brands, Michigan thieves prefer to not-buy American. And minivans.

The ten most-stolen cars in Michigan during 2008 were all Big Three products, according to data released today by the National Insurance Crime Bureau.

Topping that list is the 1996 Dodge Caravan, the third-generation of the ubiquitous family minivan. The 1998 model of it's Plymouth equivalent, the Voyager, also made the top ten.

1. 1996 Dodge Caravan
2. 2000 Dodge Intrepid
3. 2000 Jeep Cherokee/Grand Cherokee
4. 1997 Ford Taurus
5. 2005 Dodge Ram Pickup
6. 1998 Plymouth Voyager
7. 2001 Dodge Stratus
8. 1994 Oldsmobile Cutlass
9. 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix
10. 2006 Dodge Durango

The rest of the nation, however, preferred to steal foreign, with Honda and Toyota taking the top three spots.

1. 1994 Honda Accord
2. 1995 Honda Civic
3. 1989 Toyota Camry
4. 1997 Ford F-150 Pickup
5. 2004 Dodge Ram Pickup
6. 2000 Dodge Caravan
7. 1996 Jeep Cherokee/Grand Cherokee
8. 1994 Acura Integra
9. 1999 Ford Taurus
10. 2002 Ford Explorer

As the NCIB notes in it's release, certain "models of older cars and trucks are popular with thieves because of the value of their parts."

The FBI's preliminary 2008 Uniform Crime Report indicates that vehicle theft in 2008 may have fallen by as much as 13.1 percent from 2007 and could fall below one million vehicles for the first time in more than 20 years.

Source: www.mlive.com