Theft strategy deadline looming
Feds require automakers outline plans to fight stolen vehicle trade
While expressing apprehension, automakers in Canada are nevertheless scrambling to meet a deadline for a satisfactory response to a House of Commons demand for solutions to tackle the booming trade in Canadian stolen vehicles.
The standing committee on finance approved a motion last week by MP Brian Masse (NDP — Windsor West) requiring auto companies with a Canadian footprint to produce their anti-theft strategy documents by Wednesday.
Comparing auto theft statistics between Canada and the U.S., some in the industry argue it's a domestic crime problem not an automobile problem. Global Automakers of Canada chief executive David Adams, whose organization represents automakers outside of the Detroit 3, said companies are concerned about how much information is being sought and the short time frame in which to produce it.
“Do we really want to have on the public record detailed information about everyone's security systems on their vehicles?” Adams said.
“I suspect companies will probably be fairly high-level when they go back (with information). It's a risk if you go into too much detail. You're handing thieves the keys to the car. I'm not sure that was the objective of the motion.”
Masse's motion requests documents from 19 companies in total.
With auto thefts having increased by 27 per cent in 2022 in Canada compared with 11 per cent in the U.S., the issue has gained increased attention, and it triggered a summit meeting in Ottawa earlier this month.
“Stellantis vehicles meet or exceed all applicable federal standards for safety and security,” said Stellantis USA engineering, safety and regulatory affairs spokesperson Eric Mayne.
“We equip our vehicles with industry-standard security technology. And as with other vehicle features, we are engaged in continuous product improvement.”
The Windsor Star reached out to the Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers Association (CVMA), which represents GM, Stellantis and Ford, but received no comment before Tuesday deadline.
According to Équité Association, the 10 most-stolen models in Canada in 2022 in descending order of number of vehicles taken were: Honda CRV, Dodge RAM 1500, Ford F-150, Lexus RX series, Toyota Highlander, Honda Civic, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Land Rover Range Rover, GMC Silverado/sierra 1500 and Jeep Wrangler.
Équité Association is a national, independent organization focused on reducing insurance fraud and crime.
“New Democrats believe action is needed now to put a stop to this theft that is costing Canadian families thousands of dollars,” Masse said. “The NDP is forcing auto CEOS to come clean to Canadians about their security features, so we can know what needs to be improved.”
Adams said some of his member automakers received notification Friday, but he isn't sure all of them did.
“There's an inference there was an immobilizer standard set in 2007 and automakers haven't done anything since then,” Adams said of the motion. “That's completely incorrect.
“Our members are continually monitoring and auditing how their vehicles are being stolen and taking measures to harden their vehicles against theft.”
Adams said global automakers have been engaged with auto theft task forces and working on new solutions for the past two years. He said several companies work closely with the police and Équité Association on thefts and recoveries.
“They go to the scene with their engineering teams, look at the vehicle, figure out how it was compromised and send that information to head office under the guise of continual improvement,” Adams said.
“No manufacturer wants to have their vehicle on the list of Top 10 stolen vehicles. “Obviously, it tarnishes the brand's reputation and makes consumers wary about purchasing those vehicles.”
Adams said automakers also work closely with Transport Canada officials on what security measures go into their vehicles.
Mayne noted that Stellantis has made available several new security features since late 2021.
Among them is four-digit code programming through the radio that limits engine power to three horsepower in the event of theft, foiling quick getaways; as well as the prevention of programming of new key fobs; and an intrusion module that activates an alarm system if it senses glass breakage or vehicle movement.
Automakers argue that the issue of auto theft is more a crime problem than a vehicle problem. The auto theft summit in Ottawa — attended by the prime minister, senior cabinet ministers, automakers, police chiefs, municipal leaders and others — heard the Port of Montreal is a particular hot spot for the shipment of stolen vehicles and that it requires more inspection resources.
In a statement on its website, the CVMA points out that Canadian auto thefts were nearly three times higher than in the U.S. in 2022 even though the anti-theft systems used in vehicles is the same in both countries.
“The main driver of higher rates of vehicle theft is weaker vehicle export control measures in Canada compared to the United States,” the CVMA statement said. “This allows criminals to take advantage of the Canadian export market to sell stolen vehicles because of the potential for high profits accompanied by a minimal risk of detection.”
Adams said he fears the issue risks being tinged in politics but applauded the Auto Theft Summit as a step in the right direction.
He expects the federal government to roll out a plan with short-, middle- and long-term solutions soon. However, he cautioned any changes to immobilizing standards must be done in collaboration with the U.S. given the integration of the North American market.
Adams said the theft rings driving this issue are both well-financed and technically savvy. The whole approach to vehicle thefts has evolved with cars becoming electronic devices.
“It's like a computer,” Adams said. “Nothing is going to happen until it's connected to the internet. That's where you get the opportunities for hacking.”
While thieves once commonly used intercepted signals from key fobs left by the front door to access vehicles, that is no longer the case.
The focus now is more of a direct assault on the Controller Area Network (CAN bus), which facilitates the communication between the many electronic control units in a vehicle.
“That's why you see a lot of stolen vehicles have the front quarter panels torn off or damage to the front bumper or a headlight torn out,” Adams said. “On some models, that's where the CAN bus is accessed.”