The Toyota Camry was stolen more than any other car, possibly because they had more cars to be stolen, says the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Approximately 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.”
What makes a car a luxury car? Three things, according to Alec Gutierrez, senior market analyst for the automotive information resource, Kelly 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 NHTSA and the FBI, we compiled the following list of the most stolen luxury cars.
