Thieves prefer Commodores

The most popular target for thieves was the 1999 VT Commodore Executive

Australia's most popular family sedan has topped an insurance poll of the most stolen cars across the country.

An analysis of AAMI insurance claims showed that early model Holden Commodores filled seven of the top 15 most stolen models in NSW, rising to nine out of 15 on a national basis.

The most popular target for thieves was the 1999 VT Commodore Executive with 90 claims in NSW and 150 across the country. Hyundai's 1996 Excel (87) was second in NSW while another Commodore, the 1998 VT Berlina took silver on a national basis.

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Ford's Falcon was ignored by NSW thieves missing a spot on the top 15 table but the Blue Oval's 1999 AU Forte was ranked third nationally with 128 stolen.

AAMI Corporate Affairs Manager Mike Sopinski said it wasn't surprising 1990s makes and models featured so prominently on the list.

"Vehicle theft has dropped remarkably over the past 10 years, primarily because of advances in technology and theft deterrents such as engine immobilisers increasingly being a standard feature on new cars," he said.

Mr Sopinski said the dominance of Commodores on the list had nothing to do with a particular lack of security on the Holden model.

"If anything they are a victim of their own popularity with professional thieves seeking to cash in on strong demand for spare parts," Mr Sopinski said.

The AAMI data mirrored figures collated by the National Motor Vehicle Theft Reduction Council (NMVTRD) which reported three times as many Commodores than Falcons were stolen in the first three months of this year. According to the NMVTRD figures 1767 Commodores were stolen compared to 507 Falcons and 288 Hyundai Excels.

While industry figures point to a 50 per cent reduction in car theft over the past five years, Mr Sopinski said there are some simple steps owners can take to make their cars less appealing to thieves.

"At a very basic level, drivers can be doing a lot more to keep their car safe and secure, such as parking in well-lit visible places, always locking doors and windows, and keeping personal items like sunglasses, handbags and portable music devices hidden from view," Mr Sopinski said.

NATIONAL THEFT FIGURES

1999 COMMODORE EXECUTIVE VT F/INJ 4D SEDAN 150

1998 COMMODORE BERLINA VT F/INJ 4D SEDAN 131

1999 FALCON FORTE AU F/INJ 4D SEDAN 128

1998 COMMODORE EXECUTIVE VT F/INJ 4D SEDAN 125

1996 EXCEL SPRINT F/INJ 3D HATCHBACK 105

1997 COMMODORE EXECUTIVE VT F/INJ 4D SEDAN 104

1990 COMMODORE EXECUTIVE VN F/INJ 4D SEDAN 102

1996 COMMODORE EXECUTIVE VSII F/INJ 4D SEDAN 101

2002 RAV4 CRUISER 4X4 ACA21R F/INJ 5D WAGON 100

1999 EXCEL SPRINT X3 F/INJ 3D HATCHBACK 98

2001 COMMODORE EXECUTIVE VX F/INJ 4D SEDAN 98