Australia rocked by new car theft crisis
These are Australia’s most stolen cars, amid a national auto theft crisis that even the most modern tech is failing to stop.
One car is pinched every 11 minutes, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, and experts say it’s now easier than ever for thieves to take off with yours.
Gone are the days of smashed windows and hot-wiring.
Today’s criminals are using smart technology to silently unlock, start and steal vehicles in the blink of an eye – often without triggering a single alarm.
SIS Australia Managing Director Lorenzo Ernst warns carmakers are lagging behind, and buying a new car won’t necessarily protect you.
“It’s now easier than ever to use a diagnostic tool, reprogram the key and drive away,” he said.
The latest available ABS data shows more than 60,000 cars were stolen nationwide in 2023-24, around 17,000 more than 2022-23.
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Insurance claims for car thefts have nearly doubled since 2015, reaching $428 million in 2024, with Queensland and Victoria hit the hardest.
According to Ernst, carmakers benefit from having weaker security.
“One can argue that there’s a financial incentive … because if a vehicle is stolen normally the insurance would pay out and a client would normally replace a vehicle with the same they had but with a newer model,” he said.
NEW-AGE THEFT
Thieves are using on-board diagnostic (OBD) units to program or mimic keys, which Police say account for one-in-five Victorian car thefts.
As reported earlier this year, police in Victoria and New South Wales have stated that Holden Commodores are among the most-stolen cars.
Rides with the largest increase in theft included Kias, Jeeps, Isuzus, Land Rovers, and Volkswagens.
SIS Australia is trying a bold new approach – turning the driver into the key using AI-powered biometrics.
“People do many different things, the pace they walk at, the way they drive … people have very specific habits, and we can use this information responsibility to build a profile of a driver,” Ernst said.
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PAIRING THE DRIVER TO THE CAR
They’re working on technology that would pair a vehicle to a driver, so even if someone had the keys and could break through antitheft systems, they still wouldn’t be able to drive away.
Automakers, like Hyundai, are already playing in the biometric space.
Its GV60 comes with Face Connect & Fingerprint Start, so drivers can unlock and start their car without the need for a key.
The camera features near infra-red technology and deep learning-based recognition, which allows effective operation even in dark conditions or when the driver’s face is partially obscured, such as by a hat or glasses.
Mercedes-Benz offers an emergency key deactivation feature, allowing drivers to disable keys via an app. If the vehicle’s sensors detect a break-in, the owner gets an alert.
Another option is vehicle tracking via smartphone apps, which is becoming increasingly common, with systems offered by Volkswagen, Leapmotor, Alfa Romeo and Jeep.
There are other aftermarket accessories available in the Australian market, but they don’t come cheap – upwards of $1000.
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StealStopper, for instance, promises to “outsmart the thief.”
It installs directly into your car and immobilises the accelerator – making it almost impossible to drive off.
Criminals are evolving fast, and carmakers are still playing catch-up.
Some drivers are returning to old-school physical deterrents, like steering wheel locks.
Once seen as outdated, these bright yellow bars are making a comeback as a visible, physical barrier that instantly signals ‘not worth the trouble.’
“There’s an old story of two countries in a space race, one country developed this very hi-tech pen that can write in zero gravity and can write perfectly on any service,” Ernst said
“The other country just looked at them and decided to use a pencil instead. So, sometimes we overcomplicate solutions.”
Making your car harder to steal might not be foolproof, but in this race, every extra layer counts.
