Car thieves prefer Ford

9 July 2007

BRUSSELS – Ford is the favourite make of car among car thieves, according to statistics from the federal police for 2006. Volkswagen and Opel come in second and third, respectively.

A total of 12,042 cars were stolen in Belgium last year, an increase of 0.6 percent compared to a year earlier. Ford leads the pack not only in terms of absolute numbers (2,841 cars stolen), but also when it comes to the risk of theft (6.8 percent chance in 1,000 of being stolen). Nissan and Volkswagen also fare poorly when it comes to risk of being stolen.

So it is not the luxury German brands that are at risk. On the contrary, say the federal police. “Over the last two years we have seen that more and more very old cars are being stolen. They are not secured against theft. But more importantly: they often end up as parts for sale in Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Africa.”

2,019 freight lorries, 1,929 motorcycles, 175 tractors, 36 buses and two ambulances were also stolen last year.

Subject: Belgian news