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LoJack Finds that Imported Sedans are Most Susceptible to Theft

Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, and Acura Integra Top LoJack's Most Stolen Vehicle List

Westwood, MA, July 24, 2002 - LoJack Corporation (NASDAQ: LOJN), the leader in wireless stolen vehicle recovery technology, today released the top ten most stolen vehicle models for the year 2001, compiled from the company’s records of reported vehicle thefts and recoveries throughout last year. On the rise for the first time in ten years according to the FBI, vehicle theft is the costliest property crime in the United States and typically peaks during the months of July and August. In fact, the FBI reports that vehicle theft costs consumers more than $7.8 billion annually.

According to LoJack's data, the ten most stolen cars in 2001 were:

  1. Honda Accord
  2. Toyota Camry
  3. Acura Integra
  4. Nissan Maxima
  5. Honda Civic EX
  1. Jeep Grand Cherokee
  2. Honda Civic SI
  3. Ford Explorer
  4. Toyota Corolla
  5. Honda Civic DX

FBI statistics show that motor vehicle theft increased 5.9 percent in 2001. Vehicle owners should therefore become familiar with thieves’ patterns and implement a layered approach of defense in order to protect themselves. The most popular days for thieves to make off with your car, according to the FBI, are Monday, Friday and Saturday, with home driveways and work/shopping parking garages the most likely place.

To prevent theft, LoJack suggests that consumers be sure that their vehicles have several layers of protection – from common sense precautions like locking doors and closing windows to recovery devices. The LoJack System has a proven track record of reducing damage, improving overall public safety and solving serious crimes related to motor vehicle theft. On average, vehicles equipped with the LoJack stolen vehicle recovery system have a 90 percent recovery rate compared to a national record of only 68 percent of all stolen vehicles recovered.

LoJack also recommends that consumers keep copies of their vehicle registration and insurance ID card, both of which include the Vehicle Identification Number needed to report vehicle theft, and keep them in a safe place outside of the vehicle to protect themselves in the event that their car is stolen. Knowing that a vehicle is stolen every 27 seconds in the U.S., consumers can never be too careful.

How the LoJack System Works

The patented LoJack System includes a small wireless radio-frequency transceiver that is hidden in the vehicle at the time of purchase. Each LoJack unit is registered to the vehicle identification number. Once a stolen vehicle is reported to the police, the vehicle identification number is matched to the LoJack unit by state law enforcement computers. After the match, the LoJack system is activated by police, emitting silent radio signals from a small radio transceiver. Law enforcement vehicles and helicopters equipped with LoJack follow these signals to recover the stolen vehicle. Vehicles equipped with LoJack have a 90% recovery rate and are typically recovered within 24 hours. In fact, police using LoJack have recovered over 50,000 vehicles and one billion dollars in assets.

About LoJack

LoJack Corporation is the recognized world-leader in stolen vehicle recovery technology. In the U.S., its stolen vehicle recovery system, utilized by law enforcement agencies, has maintained more than a 90 percent successful recovery rate during the sixteen years it has been available to the consumer. The LoJack System operates coast-to-coast in 20 states and the District of Columbia, representing the areas of the country with the greatest population density, highest number of new vehicle sales and incidents of vehicle theft. In addition, LoJack is operated by law enforcement and security organizations in more than 20 countries in Europe, Africa, Asia and the Western Hemisphere.

Contact:
Paul McMahon
Corporate Communications
(781) 326-4700