Canada's Top 10 List of Most Stolen Cars for 2011

Huh?!?!?According to the Insurance Bureau of Canada, the 2009 Toyota Venza 4-door was the most popular car in Canada to be stolen by car thieves.

Yesterday, the Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) released its annual list of the top 10 vehicles stolen in Canada. The 2009 Toyota Venza 4-door can now shout "we're number one" after replacing the 2000 Honda Civic SiR that took top honours in 2010. That model of Honda dropped down to third place this year.

According to Statistics Canada, vehicle thefts, along with other property crimes, are dropping. In 2010, 15,300 fewer vehicles were stolen throughout the country than were taken during the previous year. But the IBC notes that while these thefts have dropped, so has the recovery rate. This suggests a lot of thefts are carried out by organized crime as opposed to young people out to have a little fun.

Rick Dubin, Vice-President, Investigative Services, Insurance Bureau of Canada, said,
We're doing a good job of stopping stolen vehicles at the ports. Our data indicates that we are not seeing many of these vehicles there. We have to conclude that stolen vehicles are being re-sold locally. But because these stolen vehicles are in these local markets, buyers need to be careful.
The Insurance Bureau of Canada advises the public to only purchase vehicles from reputable dealers and to trace the history of the car. Similarly, when repairs are needed, consumers should only deal with legitimate auto repair shops. There is a lucrative market for parts taken from high end cars, crossovers, and trucks.

The IBC advises if anyone is looking for a reputable repair or auto body shop, they can contact an insurance company or the IBC.

The IBC's list of most frequently stolen vehicles is as follows:
1. 2009 Toyota Venza 4-door
2. 1999 Honda Civic SiR 2-door
3. 2000 Honda Civic SiR 2-door
4. 2006 Ford F350 Pickup Truck 4WD
5. 2002 Cadillac Escalade EXT 4-door
6. 2006 Chevrolet TrailBlazer SS 4-door 4WD
7. 2007 Ford F350 Pickup Truck 4 WD
8. 2001 Pontiac Aztek 4-door AWD
9. 1998 Accura Integra 2-door
10. 1999 Acura Integra 2-door

Source;
http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/316130#ixzz1gcKDG9BV

Honda Civic retakes title of top selling car in Canada

The Honda Civic is once again the best-selling passenger car in Canada, according to statistics compiled by Dennis DesRosiers and Associates.

“It took a massive sales push in March with sales up 38.8 per cent, but the Civic has regained its decade-long position of being the best selling passenger car,” Dennis DesRosiers, Toronto-based auto analyst, said Thursday.

The Hyundai Elantra had displaced the Civic in January and February. The Ford F-series pickup truck remains the best-selling light truck and the best-selling vehicle overall.

With few exceptions, light trucks are selling very well this year thanks to “huge incentives as well a growing lack of supply of cars due to the impact of the Japanese earthquake,”

As well, the Detroit Three — whose strength lies with light trucks — are getting better at competing with import brands, said DesRosiers.

Despite rising gas prices, light trucks continue to outsell passenger cars, he added.

“Normally, sales of ‘B’ and ‘C’ vehicles go up with higher gas prices and vice versa.” said DesRosiers. “Year-to-date, we haven’t seen much evidence of this. Entry-level vehicle sales are up only 0.4 per cent in a market that is up by 2.1 per cent, so they are underperforming the market.”

The strongest segment all year so far have been those with vehicles dedicated to commercial use, like large pickup trucks and panel vans, he said. “Gas prices ultimately will change the types of vehicles bought by Canadians, but we are not seeing much evidence of it so far.”

Source;
http://www.windsorstar.com/news/Honda+Civic+retakes+title+selling+Canada/4615143/story.html#ixzz1JbHgVfTr