Japan's most stolen vehicle is... not what you think
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. Thanks for the tip, catgirlshyla!
[Source: Japan Probe]
Get a WordPress.com Blog
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Torrent 6:36PM (11/20/2008)
I hope people steal them so they can be imploded.
Reply
sam Scherer 11:46PM (11/20/2008)
They are probably an easy target due to a a primitive locking and anti-theft system. Japanese law imposes high tarriffs on new vehicles so virtually all cars in japan have key or fob based immobilizer validation systems.
sam Scherer 11:48PM (11/20/2008)
err meant to say "high tariffs on older vehicles" prompting people to buy new cars.
Don 5:07PM (11/22/2008)
Wow. Brilliant commentary. Always good to know the kiddies are everywhere.
Torrent 6:06PM (11/22/2008)
wtf.
JDMlover 6:38PM (11/20/2008)
I can see way. Its very useful. I went to Jamaica and i see there vans EVERYWHERE.
The people also love them too. Toyota's are VERY popular in Jamaica also....very. From Trucks to vans to wagons to SUV...i can see why Toyota is gets its reputation from their cars are very well sold and last long.
Very good cars.
Reply
Franz 6:45PM (11/20/2008)
I'm from Jamaica & you're so right... they are everywhere. Toyota & Mitsubishi especially have an incredible reputation back home.
Mobius_1 6:48PM (11/20/2008)
They all have an amazing reputation...
... for drifting!
happy_penguin 6:53PM (11/20/2008)
Must be all the gangah they be smokin' don der mon.
P.V. 7:13PM (11/20/2008)
@Mobius_1:
So does the Toyota Previa/Estima: http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/09/video-drifting-now-family-friendly-thanks-to-toyota-estima/
@JDMlover:
I agree that this is a great workhorse, but can you PLEASE think more critically about Toyota's products rather than unquestioningly heap them with praise (they don't deserve to be hated, but they don't deserve unthinking overdone flattery)?
Franz 7:27PM (11/20/2008)
@ happy_penguin:
LOL. It's Ganja... get it right mon... Bloodclaat...
@ Mobius_1:
JDMlover is sometimes a biased troll at best, but Toyota's reputation in JA... and in the Caribbean in general has been hard earned and well deserved. Their relative low cost, depth of lineup, good fuel economy and pretty much bulletproof reputation saw to that... and when they're not so bulletproof, parts are cheap. It's mostly JDM models, since we drive on the left. Corollas (their many variants included) are the most popular. 20 Valve 4AGE and supercharged 4AGZE Levins & Truenos used to be really common. 500+hp 2JZ powered Supras & Aristos (Lexus GS300) were once dime a dozen. Altezzas, 1JZ powered Chasers & Soarers (Lexus SC300) offered good bang for the buck... easy 400+hp with just breathing mods.
As for trucks and SUVs, they're poular too. We've always had the Landcruiser variants and Hilux Surf (4Runner), with both gas & diesel engines available (the diesels are more popular)... matter of fact, the Lexus GX is basically a Landcruiser Prado, and the Tacoma and FJ use basically the same Prado underpinnings. They're tough as nails.
Judy Zik 8:27PM (11/20/2008)
Just got back from Cuba. Guess what the roads are full of Fords and Chevys from the 1950's. Otherwise it's 1990's Ladas. None of these are reliable vehicles. Just because you see them everywhere in a country doesn't mean anything more than the fact that the vehicles and parts were probably cheap or readily available.
Fortunately for the Cubans they also now have a whole bunch of new Hyundais showing up mostly as rentals but at least they will age better than the others.
happy_penguin 8:59PM (11/20/2008)
LOL those Hyundais will be lucky to be there for ten to fifteen years, not the fifty the Chevys have lasted.
JDMlover 9:17PM (11/20/2008)
@ Franz
Im Jamaican also ! what part of Jamaica are you from...??
LOL at the bias troll comment.
I also agree with everything you said about corollas and AE86 and supras and Prado...so ture...you would nuts to go down there and say Toyotas are not good...NUTS.
Franz 9:21PM (11/20/2008)
LOL. Well I'm from Mandeville originally, but lived in Ocho Rios for a few years.
JDMlover 9:30PM (11/20/2008)
Thats awesome...meeting another Jamaican here out of all places is really something...
Im from Linstead, Spanish town.
I miss back home :(....I've been in New york for a while now...been working and stuff going to school...miss the freedom and warmth and di cook food dem... wha gwaan ova deh? Yah up der now?
Franz 10:03PM (11/20/2008)
I actually am. I'm out tomorrow... hate to leave, especially since it's getting f*cking cold now. LOL
JDMlover 10:08PM (11/20/2008)
WOW
That is the total opposite of what people normally do when they take trips to Jamaica...they leave when it gets cold...not come when its cold LOL...Jesus how can you leave that warmth and beautiful outdoors NOW to come to this...smh...i wish we could trade right now...
Where are you coming to? New York?
JDMlover 10:13PM (11/20/2008)
Shoot...
And while were at it...who's your favorite artist? My top artist it Jah Cure right now. The new reggae with Movado and kartel and etc is a little bit over kill compared to the culture music...LOL
Franz 10:40PM (11/20/2008)
LOL. You're straying way past cars now & into music... I'll answer this last one but let's get back on topic:
Music, I stay old school mostly (Marley ftw), but I do prefer roots rock/culture. Morgan Heritage, Buju, Beres Hammond, Jah Cure... and usually anything out of VP that Don Corleone had a hand in.
And as for coming back State side now, I haven't much choice. I only had 3 days off so I ran out to get warm for a bit... hell, I've been known to fly out on a day off. LOL. Gotta stop in FL for a couple days then it's back to Jersey.