DISRUPTING: North American Vehicle Anti-theft Products Market by 2025
Thomas M. Kowalick © 2024
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) website notes, "Motor vehicles are the primary mode of transportation for most of us and often an indispensable part of our lives. But what would happen if your vehicle suddenly disappeared? More than 1 million drivers fall victim to this costly crime each year."
Some Facts
In Mexico, an average of 168 insured vehicles were stolen daily in 2023, totaling 61,222 units for the year. This marked a 2.3% increase compared to the previous year, during which 59,871 units were stolen.
In Canada, car thefts have surged in recent years. Between Ontario and Quebec, they increased by 48 percent and 58 percent in 2021 and 2023. But police have said they are cracking down on the organized criminal networks behind the rise in stolen vehicles.
In the United States, Vehicle thefts continue to surge nationwide, challenging vehicle owners and law enforcement agencies hoping to curb this growing crime trend.
A new report released by the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), the nation's leading not-for-profit organization exclusively dedicated to identifying, investigating, preventing, and deterring insurance fraud and crime, shows another record-breaking year for vehicle thefts in 2023. Last year, more than one million vehicles were reported stolen, and overall vehicle thefts increased about one percent nationwide from 1,008,756 in 2022 to 1,020,729 in 2023.
Vehicle theft rates have risen steadily since 2019. California accounted for the highest number of vehicle thefts nationwide in 2023, with 208,668 vehicles reported stolen. The District of Columbia had the highest theft rate nationwide in 2023, with 1,149.71 thefts per 100,000 people, over three times the national theft rate.
What motivates the thieves?
- Easy to do — throughout all history, stealing has been the number one labor-saving method for immediate gratification.
- A large selection of unprotected vehicles available
- Failure of the automakers to make secure vehicles
- Failure of the federal regulators to regulate secure vehicles
- Inadequate law enforcement
- Woefully lacking penalties
- An insurance industry that is reactive vs. proactive
- Lack of data to determine the magnitude of the problem
- Organized crime exports to other nations
- Lack of a simple anti-theft product that is easier to use
- To date, the bad guys are more intelligent than the good guys
- The Best of 2024 anti-theft products still need to be improved.
The Simple Solution
Determine which electronic tools the bad guys use, and then create a consumer-centric countermeasure product that vehicle owners can use to secure and protect their vehicles.
Learn how an OBD2 port lock like the AUTOCYB ® security lock can thwart keyless car theft. This innovative device secures your car's OBD port, preventing unauthorized access and key cloning theft. Safeguard your vehicle from modern-day criminals who exploit its computerized systems. With cars evolving into computerized marvels, thieves have exploited vulnerabilities like the OBD II Port in vehicles since 1996. These ports remain active even when the car is off, enabling hackers to reprogram the car's computer or clone keys without ignition. The AUTOCYB ® security lock is a defense against OBD hacking and keyless car theft. Stay ahead of thieves who adapt to anti-theft measures, capable of programming new keys to start and drive your car without your knowledge. Discover more through the videos below and secure your vehicle with an AUTOCYB ® security lock OBD lock. Prevent theft with this essential anti-theft device.
Thomas M. Kowalick is a Senior Member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Standards Association (IEEE/SA) and was Chair of three Event Data Recorder (EDR) standards and the new Data Storage Systems for Automated and Autonomous Driving (DSSAD) standards. He is the author of FATAL EXIT: The Automotive Black Box Debate (Wiley) and Founder at AIRMIKA INC., the AUTOCYB ® and AUTOTAP ® vehicle cyber security locks manufacturer. He aims to disrupt the North American vehicle anti-theft products market by 2025, with essential security products available on AMAZON in Mexico, the United States & Canada.
