In search of hot cars
June 6, 2001 | 12:00am
Though the urge is quite strong to make references to a certain movie Nicolas Cage had starred in whenever stolen cars are the topic, we will not do so here. Car theft, it’s safe to assume, is not the least amusing nor vaguely entertaining. Well, to car thieves maybe, especially if they have this predilection to glamorize their "craft."
To victims, it’s another story. For one thing, cars are the second most expensive properties people plunk down their money on, second only to homes. In some cases in this country, even the most expensive. So a sleazoid taking off with your car is definitely no joke.
In reports gathered from the Traffic Management Group (TMG) of the Philippine National Police, statistics show that from January 1 to April 30 of this year, there are 608 vehicles that are reported stolen nationwide. Vehicles in this case refers to cars, pickups, AUVs, SUVs, light commercial vehicles, trucks and even motorcycles, but the bulk is made up of passenger cars.
A statistical report of the TMG’s vehicle information management system shows there are more vehicles stolen during the middle of the week. In the same period, 104 cars were stolen on a Tuesday while 101 were lost on Wednesdays.
On Sundays, there were 84 cars stolen, Mondays, 96, Thursdays, 99, Fridays, 67. Thieves struck the least number of times on Saturdays, with only 57 vehicles stolen. Must be a day-off for them, or due to late Friday nights out.
The report also said that a full 81 percent of vehicle theft cases were in Metro Manila. Of that share, Quezon City has the dubious distinction of topping the list with a share of 42.7 percent and Manila coming in second at 14.9 percent.
True to the phrase "thief in the night," most vehicles were stolen either in the early mornings or late evenings. Thieves were busiest from two to six in the mornings, then from 10 to 12 in the evenings.
And what brands to these sleazoids prefer? Toyotas top the list, with 131 vehicles stolen in the same four-month period, earning a 21.5-percent "market share." Hondas come in second with 77 vehicles or 12.7 percent of the pie, while Mitsubishis finish a close 11.7 percent or 71 units.
Nissans and Isuzus, meanwhile, are tied at a 47 vehicles each, sharing fourth spot with 7.7 percent each. Of the more popular brands, Fords, Mercedes-Benzes and Volkswagens made the list, but only with a miniscule less than two percent share.
The statistical report, however, listed the largest percentage of stolen vehicles in the "others" classification with 36.8 percent but failed to specify what brand vehicles fall under the category.
The fact that Toyotas and Hondas top the list is not surprising. Both are the most popular brands in the market and therefore these two manufacturers churn out a lot of these models as well. So statistically speaking, there are more numbers of Toyotas and Hondas-particularly Corollas, Tamaraw FXs, Civics and CRVs-on the road that can get stolen.
Also, since these models are the most popular buys among consumers, thieves have a higher chance of selling them at better prices and at a faster rate, too. Afterall, car thieves are plying their trade mainly for profit.
In this regard, it is quite apparent that thieves are also closely following consumer market trends. While Toyotas and Hondas also perennially top the list of most stolen cars in the US, there is a rise in the number of stolen trucks and sport-utility vehicles as well. These types of vehicles has dramatically risen in popularity during the past six years or so, accounting for almost half the total number of privately-owned vehicles on American streets. The same applies here in the country.
Compared to previous years, however, car theft cases are on the decline. That’s according to Superintendent Hermogenes Tosino, the TMG’s assistant director for police community relations, and who just recently attended the 31st Road Safety Convention in Cebu City where he served as keynote speaker.
He said the decline is a direct result of the TMG’s nationwide effort. The unit is identifying the criminal syndicates or persons behind car thefts and their respective modus operandi, and then taking the appropriate steps to apprehend them.
Not one to rest on its laurels, Tosino assures the public that the TMG is increasing its efforts more. "We are increasing our personnel, means of mobility and communications equipment to bring the number of car theft cases down."
Which is definitely good news to the public. But bad for Nicolas Cage wannabes.
To victims, it’s another story. For one thing, cars are the second most expensive properties people plunk down their money on, second only to homes. In some cases in this country, even the most expensive. So a sleazoid taking off with your car is definitely no joke.
In reports gathered from the Traffic Management Group (TMG) of the Philippine National Police, statistics show that from January 1 to April 30 of this year, there are 608 vehicles that are reported stolen nationwide. Vehicles in this case refers to cars, pickups, AUVs, SUVs, light commercial vehicles, trucks and even motorcycles, but the bulk is made up of passenger cars.
A statistical report of the TMG’s vehicle information management system shows there are more vehicles stolen during the middle of the week. In the same period, 104 cars were stolen on a Tuesday while 101 were lost on Wednesdays.
On Sundays, there were 84 cars stolen, Mondays, 96, Thursdays, 99, Fridays, 67. Thieves struck the least number of times on Saturdays, with only 57 vehicles stolen. Must be a day-off for them, or due to late Friday nights out.
The report also said that a full 81 percent of vehicle theft cases were in Metro Manila. Of that share, Quezon City has the dubious distinction of topping the list with a share of 42.7 percent and Manila coming in second at 14.9 percent.
True to the phrase "thief in the night," most vehicles were stolen either in the early mornings or late evenings. Thieves were busiest from two to six in the mornings, then from 10 to 12 in the evenings.
And what brands to these sleazoids prefer? Toyotas top the list, with 131 vehicles stolen in the same four-month period, earning a 21.5-percent "market share." Hondas come in second with 77 vehicles or 12.7 percent of the pie, while Mitsubishis finish a close 11.7 percent or 71 units.
Nissans and Isuzus, meanwhile, are tied at a 47 vehicles each, sharing fourth spot with 7.7 percent each. Of the more popular brands, Fords, Mercedes-Benzes and Volkswagens made the list, but only with a miniscule less than two percent share.
The statistical report, however, listed the largest percentage of stolen vehicles in the "others" classification with 36.8 percent but failed to specify what brand vehicles fall under the category.
The fact that Toyotas and Hondas top the list is not surprising. Both are the most popular brands in the market and therefore these two manufacturers churn out a lot of these models as well. So statistically speaking, there are more numbers of Toyotas and Hondas-particularly Corollas, Tamaraw FXs, Civics and CRVs-on the road that can get stolen.
Also, since these models are the most popular buys among consumers, thieves have a higher chance of selling them at better prices and at a faster rate, too. Afterall, car thieves are plying their trade mainly for profit.
In this regard, it is quite apparent that thieves are also closely following consumer market trends. While Toyotas and Hondas also perennially top the list of most stolen cars in the US, there is a rise in the number of stolen trucks and sport-utility vehicles as well. These types of vehicles has dramatically risen in popularity during the past six years or so, accounting for almost half the total number of privately-owned vehicles on American streets. The same applies here in the country.
Compared to previous years, however, car theft cases are on the decline. That’s according to Superintendent Hermogenes Tosino, the TMG’s assistant director for police community relations, and who just recently attended the 31st Road Safety Convention in Cebu City where he served as keynote speaker.
He said the decline is a direct result of the TMG’s nationwide effort. The unit is identifying the criminal syndicates or persons behind car thefts and their respective modus operandi, and then taking the appropriate steps to apprehend them.
Not one to rest on its laurels, Tosino assures the public that the TMG is increasing its efforts more. "We are increasing our personnel, means of mobility and communications equipment to bring the number of car theft cases down."
Which is definitely good news to the public. But bad for Nicolas Cage wannabes.
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