Approximately 800,000 motor vehicles were stolen in the United States in 2009, the most recent year for which the FBI provides statistics. That represents a loss of $5.2 billion nationwide.
The Toyota Camry was stolen more than any other make, possibly because there were so many to be stolen. About 448,000 Camrys were manufactured in 2009, and of those, 781 were stolen, at a rate of 1.74 per thousand cars produced. Luxury cars are produced in much lower runs than standard models, so far fewer units are stolen every year. But they’re attractive to thieves nonetheless.
According to Karl Brauer, CEO of the online car review aggregator TotalCarScore.com, luxury cars are normally stolen for two reasons. “Luxury and premium models, such as those in this list, are typically stolen by professional car thieves for export, where they can fetch a premium over their domestic value,” he said in an e-mail. “If they're not exported, then many are parted-out for sale on the black market.”
So what defines a luxury car? Three simple criteria, according to Alec Gutierrez, senior market analyst for the automotive information resource Kelley Blue Book. A luxury car is produced by a traditional luxury manufacturer, such as Audi, BMW or Mercedes-Benz; it retails for no less than $45,000; and it offers a smooth ride, even on bumpy roads.
Using data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, CNBC.com assembled a list of the most frequently stolen luxury cars in the U.S. Cars are ranked according to thefts per thousand cars produced. Also included are the insights of Brauer, who gave CNBC.com his take on why the cars on this list present irresistible opportunities for thieves, and represent painful losses to their owners.
Read ahead to see which are the most stolen luxury cars in the U.S.!
1. Audi S8
Theft rate: 8.81 per thousand
The Audi S8 is a full-size, four-door luxury sedan introduced in 1996. The car’s third generation was introduced in 2009, and in that year only 227 units were manufactured. As with the BMW M5, two of these were stolen, but since the production run was smaller it places higher on the list. “The Audi S8, Audi's flagship performance sedan, is an impressive vehicle that, in this generation, combines the power of a Lamborghini-sourced V10 engine and the security of all-wheel drive, a rarity among the S8's competition,” Brauer said. “The S8 is a segment leader when it comes to balancing luxury, performance and price, making it a perfect candidate for any professional car thief's shopping list.”
2. BMW M5
Theft rate: 7.58 per thousand
The parent company of Rolls Royce and the producer of the iconic Mini, BMW produces some of the most powerful and highly envied cars on the road under its own brand. This includes the M5, a high-performance vehicle introduced at the 1984 Amsterdam Motor Show. Of the 264 units that were made in 2009, two were stolen. “What's not to like about the BMW M5?” Brauer asked in an e-mail. “As one of the leaders in the luxury high performance segment, this generation of the M5 offers a monstrous V10 engine that can put a smile on just about every automotive enthusiast's face. Despite some disappointment with the M5's SMG transmission and a somewhat uncommunicative steering feel, the M5 is still a highly sought-after car - and there's no wonder it made the list.”
3. Chrysler 300
Theft rate: 4.57 per thousand
The Chrysler 300 is a full-size, high-end sedan that debuted at the 2003 New York Auto Show. 31,287 were manufactured in 2009 and 143 were stolen. “A stylish, boulevard cruiser or a HEMI-equipped tire-smoking performance sedan?” Brauer asked. “You can have both with the Chrysler 300, an attractive full-size sedan that offered a host of engines and was even available with all-wheel drive. The 300 enjoyed huge aftermarket support and its endless customization options surely lured in many an automotive car thief.”
4. Nissan Infiniti M35/M45
Theft rate: 4.32 per thousand
The Nissan Motor Company is one of the largest automobile manufacturers in the world. In 2011 they reported revenue almost equaling 8.8 trillion Japanese yen, or $113 billion. Part of their success can be attributed to the Infiniti M luxury vehicle, which includes the M35 and the M45, of which 6,243 were manufactured in 2009. 27 of those were stolen from the streets of the U.S. “Infiniti's aging flagship, the M35/45, flew under the radar with a low Total Car Score, before its redesign in 2011,” Brauer said. “However, due to an attractive blend of luxury, performance and technology, it found itself the target of professional car thieves.”
5. General Motors Cadillac STS
Theft rate: 4.28 per thousand
Even people who know nothing about cars consider Cadillac the cream of the luxury automobile sector. The STS, which was discontinued in 2011, was no exception, although some reviews suggested that it was long on interior luxury and short on performance. In 2009, General Motors manufactured 7,239 of these cars, and of that amount, 31 were stolen.
"Despite its low Total Car Score and aging design, Cadillac's STS represents an all-around American touring sedan while offering up a lesser-known, high potent stablemate, the Cadillac STS-V, which helped establish the STS among the ranks of segment leaders such as the BMW M5,” Brauer said. “It's no surprise to us that its luxury nameplate and numerous powertrain configurations make it an appealing target for thieves.”
Click Here for the Full Slideshow of The Most Stolen Luxury Cars
Watch Crime Inc.: Grand Theft Auto Thursday, August 9th at 8p ET on CNBC. For more info, visit the show page.
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