Toyota models continue to dominate New Zealand’s vehicle theft statistics, with the Aqua maintaining its position as the country’s most frequently stolen car by volume for the third consecutive year and the Hilux now being stolen more than once a day on average.
New data from AMI Insurance and MoneyHub’s analysis of police data from the last six months of 2024 reveals distinct theft patterns affecting different vehicle categories. While the Toyota Aqua leads in overall theft numbers, the Toyota Hilux has become a high-priority target for professional thieves.
The MoneyHub report indicates that a Hilux is stolen on average more than once daily, reflecting the vehicle’s value to organised criminal networks who target utes for dismantling and parts or use in other criminal activities.
Regional patterns emerge
Canterbury has emerged as the “ute theft capital” of New Zealand, with the Hilux, Ford Courier, and Nissan Navara all heavily targeted in the region. The concentration of ute thefts in Canterbury highlights the organised nature of commercial vehicle theft compared to opportunistic car theft in urban centres.
The data reveals two distinct security risks for automotive dealers. High-turnover imports including the Aqua, Nissan Tiida, and Mazda Demio remain targets for joyriders and opportunistic thieves, while commercial stock faces increasing pressure from professional theft operations.
Ram raid claims drop significantly
Despite the ongoing vehicle theft challenges, the automotive retail sector received some positive news with AMI data showing theft claims related to ram raids dropped by nearly 50% in 2024 compared to the previous year. The reduction offers respite to showroom owners who have battled front-of-house security issues.
According to the combined AMI Insurance and MoneyHub analysis, the top five most stolen vehicles by volume are the Toyota Aqua, Toyota Corolla, Nissan Tiida, Mazda Demio, and Mazda Atenza. The list reflects the continued targeting of popular Japanese imports, which remain attractive to thieves due to their prevalence and parts value.
The theft patterns underscore the need for enhanced security measures across the automotive industry, from dealer yards to customer education about vehicle protection.
