Japan's Most Stolen Vehicle Is... Not What You Think

[Velocity]

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!

TAKEN FROM AUTOBLOG

[miniace]

So many, ended up here ne?

MINIACE

[Ripper]

Hiace engines even show up in fishing boats from time-to-time. Thanks for the tip, catgirlshyla!

TAKEN FROM AUTOBLOG

I've heard ltte too was using toyota van motors on some of their boats... no confirmation though

[Devinda_Z]

there was a story on the front page of the Daily News yesterday regarding such a crime ring which involved Sri Lankans shipping down HiAces

[The Don]

there was a story on the front page of the Daily News yesterday regarding such a crime ring which involved Sri Lankans shipping down HiAces

Sadly some of our countrymen in Japan gives us all a bad name

[shanX]

But still market value of these are hiking by the day

[MasterDon]

Top 10 Most Stolen Vehicles in 2008 in america

http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/08/top-10-...hicles-in-2008/

Edited December 9, 2008 by HelRazor