Do you own a Cadillac Escalade? If so, you might want to make sure it is still in your driveway because the Highway Loss Data Institutes (HLDI) named it the most stolen vehicle. The institute examine police reports from around the nation to determine their findings and for the fourth year in a row, the Escalade made first. Per 1,000 vehicles, the Cadillac claims 10.8 percent of the theft insurance claim frequency. And of all the four models offered, it is the excentric EXT half-truck that is the most targeted.
“We are committed to beating the thieves and expect these new theft deterrent systems to greatly reduce the Escalade’s rate of theft and lower its position on HLDI’s list,” said Bill Biondo, GM’s global lead on vehicle theft prevention. According the HLDI, it isn’t the Escalade that is being specifically targeted, but rather what is on or could be inside. The Cadillac trucks are usually associated with a rather “well-off” social grouping and many of them are modified with expensive aftermarket wheels.
General Motors and Cadillac want desperately to lower the Escalades standings on the list. They have gone as far as to install theft deterrents specifically for the truck. “We are currently implementing four new pieces of ‘armor’ on Escalade intended to reduce vehicle thefts, particularly those called push away.” said Biondo. On the 2012 Escalade, these include:
- A new and more robust steering column lock system that makes it nearly impossible to maneuver the Escalade onto a flatbed tow vehicle
- An available inclination sensor that sets off an alarm when the system senses a change of the angle of the vehicle, such that would occur with towing, flatbedding or jacking up the vehicle.
- An available shock sensor intended to reduce content theft and push away theft by sounding the alarm when the vehicle is “shocked” such as breaking the glass.
- A new wheel lock system is available to help prevent the theft of Escalade’s wheels and tires.
Source: CNN Money & General Motors
