Sylvain Allemand // Credits: CHIP SOMODEVILLA / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP 1:01 p.m., February 13, 2024

With more than 70,000 declarations to insurers in France, vehicle thefts exceed the level before Covid-19. Firmly at the top of the list are the classics from French manufacturers such as the Renault Clio IV in the lead ahead of the Mégane IV and the Peugeot 3008 II.

Take care of your car! According to Le

Parisien,

four-wheel thefts experienced a significant increase in 2023. In one year, insurers received no fewer than 70,000 reports. An increase of 11.1% compared to the previous year. The Renault Clio IV, followed by the Renault Mégane IV and the Peugeot 3008 II are at the top of the ranking. Common cars which reflect a change in strategy on the part of criminal networks which use increasingly sophisticated methods. 

If we base ourselves solely on the number of thefts, the most stolen vehicles are classics from French manufacturers. Renault and Peugeot reign supreme in this ranking, occupying nine places out of ten. The only vehicle to find a place between those of the diamond and lion brands is the Toyota Rav4 in fifth position. Concerning thefts compared to the number of vehicles in circulation, the Lexus RX is the unfortunate winner of the prize for the most stolen car. “Mid-range and upper-mid-range cars are popular, sought-after vehicles and easily resold, as well as their spare parts,” a police source tells Europe 1. 

>> READ ALSO -

 The “JBL” speaker which allows cars to be stolen in less than a minute

Increasingly sophisticated techniques

These vehicles, produced in large quantities, are identified by theft networks as being more fragile with technical flaws. “The flights are mainly made to order, so it is generally an organized network destined for Eastern Europe or Africa,” indicates the police officer. Criminals are much better organized and equipped than in the past.

Now, thefts happen most of the time without breaking a door. Gentleness is essential for thieves, who use extremely sophisticated electronic boxes adapting to the evolution of security systems. A technology allowing said vehicles to be stolen without break-ins. Thefts are carried out in just a few minutes using tools easily found on the Darknet. Among the departments where the number of stolen vehicles is the highest, we find Bouches-du-Rhône, Val-d'Oise, Seine-Saint-Denis, as well as the two Corsican departments.