4 truck models top MPI's list of most-stolen vehicles for 2nd straight year

Truck owners beware.

Manitoba Public Insurance says for a second consecutive year, pickup trucks occupy the top four spots in the list of the 10 most-stolen vehicles in the province.

The list, sent by the Crown insurance corporation in response to a CBC request this week, says the Ford F-150 was the most-frequently stolen vehicle this year, with 164 thefts of that model.

It's followed by the Dodge Ram (162 thefts), Chevrolet Silverado (133) and GMC Sierra (119), according to MPI data up to Nov. 19.

In 2023, the Silverado topped the list, with 190 stolen in the province, followed by the F-150 (187), Ram (170) and Sierra (167).

Auto thefts are tied largely to opportunity, MPI media relations lead Tara Seel said Wednesday, and the 10 most-stolen vehicles reflect "vehicles that are most popular to drive in Manitoba, such as the pickup truck, the Honda Civics."

The F-150, Ram, Silverado and Sierra also topped the list of four most-registered vehicles in 2023 and to the start of November this year, according to MPI's data.

"Trucks are also one of the most popular vehicles in Manitoba, and we know that through registration information. But they're also quite expensive," said Seel.

"So it is a high-commodity item in terms of individuals stealing them and getting some return for the effort. Sometimes the cost of the vehicle comes into play as well."

Rounding out this year's 10 most-stolen vehicles were the Honda Civic (96), Dodge Grand Caravan (78), Toyota Corolla (65), Hyundai Elantra (59), Toyota RAV4 (56) and Chevrolet Cruze (51), the latter replacing the Honda CR-V in 10th place — the only change in models on this year's list.

Several of those vehicles were also on the list of the 10 most-registered in the province, both this year and last.

However, many other vehicle models were involved in thefts this year. The vehicles in this year's top 10 accounted for just 983 of the 2,787 auto thefts reported — 35 per cent.

Last year, there were 1,284 auto thefts among the top 10 most popular stolen vehicles — about 39 per cent of the 3,323 vehicles stolen.

All claims made to the Crown corporation for stolen vehicles have an effect on ratepayers, so Seel is hopeful there will be slightly fewer auto thefts reported once the 2024 data is finalized at year's end.

"We are less at this point. There is still some time in the year left, but it'd be nice to see a lower number," she said. "I'm sure all Manitobans would appreciate that."

MPI encourages motorists to take measures to prevent vehicle theft, including not leaving keys in the car — even to warm it up as winter settles in for the next few months.