In 2001, the Toyota Camry was the vehicle most likely to be stolen for the fifth-straight year, according to CCC Information Services Inc., a company that monitors nationwide trends in auto thefts.

Top 25 most-stolen vehicles in 2001 1. 1991 Toyota Camry 2. 1989 Toyota Camry 3. 1990 Toyota Camry 4. 2000 Honda Civic SI 5. 1994 Chevrolet C1500 4x2 6. 1995 Honda Accord EX 7. 1994 Honda Accord LX 8. 1994 Honda Accord EX 9. 1988 Toyota Camry 10. 1996 Honda Accord LX 11. 1993 Chevrolet C1500 4x2 12. 1997 Ford F150 4x2 13. 1990 Honda Accord EX 14. 1991 Honda Accord LX 15. 1996 Honda Accord EX 16. 1987 Toyota Camry 17. 1997 Honda Accord LX 18. 1992 Honda Accord LX 19. 1991 Honda Accord EX 20. 1993 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4x4 21. 2000 Chevrolet C1500 4x2 Silverado 22. 1995 Honda Accord LX 23. 1991 Acura Legend 24. 1990 Honda Accord LX 25. 1995 Honda Civic EX Source: CCC Information Services

The 1991-model Camry captured the No. 1 slot among most-stolen vehicles from the 1989 model, the vehicle that had held this dubious honor for the previous four years. According to CCC, Toyota and Honda models comprise 16 of the top 20 most-stolen vehicles. The Honda Accord is actually the vehicle most coveted overall by car thieves, regardless of the model year.

CCC provides data to the automotive-claims and collision-repair industry from more than 350 property and casualty insurers in North America. "Though we cannot determine with absolute certainty the reason for vehicle theft, trends show that cars are often stolen for the value of their parts," says Mary Jo Prigge, CCC's president of sales and service. "Vehicle theft historically follows consumers' choices, which is reflected in the gaining popularity of trucks and SUVs among thieves."

According to Prigge, vehicle theft actually decreased 2.7 percent in 2001 compared to 2000; however, the percentage of stolen trucks and SUVs increased by 7 percent. In 1997, only one truck made the list of the nation's 25 most-stolen vehicles; in 2001, there are four: the 1994 Chevrolet C1500 4x2 (No. 5), the 1993 Chevrolet C1500 4x2 (No. 11), the 1997 Ford F150 4x2 (No. 12), and the 2000 Chevrolet C1500 4x2 Silverado (No. 21).

CCC says increases in truck and SUV theft reflect a shift in consumer preferences for these vehicles, away from full-sized and "muscle" cars. For example, the 1995 Ford Mustang was the 35th most-stolen vehicle in 2001, down from the 10th most-stolen vehicle in 1997. The full-sized model with the largest drop in theft regardless of the model year is the Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme, dropping to No. 45 from its peak of No. 6 in 1997. Oldsmobile ceased production of the Cutlass Supreme in 1997.

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The CCC also breaks down vehicle theft to trends that are specific to each state. Key findings include:

• Like car thieves across the nation, auto bandits in California — which has the highest number of auto thefts in the nation — prefer to heist the 1991 Toyota Camry.

• In 2001, New York car thieves stole more 1994 Honda Accord EX's than any other vehicle model.

• In Texas, pickup trucks dominate the state's most-stolen vehicles, taking the top 11 slots and 20 of the top 25. The most-stolen vehicle in Texas in 2001 was the 1994 Chevrolet C1500 4x2.

• Of all contiguous states, Michigan has the highest theft rate compared to the state's total auto insurance claim volume. According to CCC, since foreign demand for U.S.-made cars is often met by shipping stolen cars across international borders for resale, the Great Lakes surrounding Michigan may allow stolen vehicles to be easily exported into Canada. The most-stolen vehicle in Michigan in 2001 was the 1999 Dodge Intrepid.