Prius is least stolen, most often recovered vehicle in US

Just as Black Friday nears, and HEAT programs across the country are reminding us to lock our cars and conceal our valuables while shopping for the holidays, NICB reveals one way to eliminate or at least reduce auto theft is simply to drive a Prius – the least stolen vehicle in the US.

It would seem thieves just don’t get their kicks out of the little green hybrids that have sold 1.2 million units since the were introduced. Further, beyond the fact they are the least stolen, they are the most often recovered vehicles on occasions when they do get purloined.

Perhaps those who steal a Prius are not professional thieves, but mere joy riders that realize the little cars just aren’t providing the thrill they were seeking. So they are just abandoned a few blocks from where first filched.

In fact, the theft rate for the Toyota Prius is ridiculously lower than the average model. Only one of 606 Prii were taken from their owners by felons during the 2008 to 2010 model years. The average for all models during those years is one in 78.

Of course we’d wager not many Smartfortwo cars get swiped either – just a guess, you understand.

A grand total of 2,439 US Toyota Prii were reported stolen between Sept. 4, 2000 and June 30, 2012. They are gaining popularity with thieves, however it is a very slow process.

More Prius thefts have been reported every year except during 2009, when the number dropped. Still that trend may have peaked as it appears 2012 is on track to total fewer Prius thefts than in 2011

The top five states for Prius thefts in descending order were California (1,062), Florida (127), New York (111), Washington (92), and Texas (89).

However, this article might change the reality. If you’re fleeing prosecution do you have a better chance of making the state line at a breakneck pace in a SRT8 or moseying along in a Toyota Prius?

Even a joy rider could figure that out – screenplay writers take note!