Mark Dasta knows jacked rides. Like, intimately. He’s a security director for Tag Tracking, a Montreal-based company on the front lines of the war against auto theft. This ain’t your grandpappy’s LoJack – Dasta hunts stolen vehicles with stealthy tracking devices hidden deep within the car’s innards.
The Usual Suspects: Toyotas and Lexuses Rule the Roost
Dasta dishes on the hot ticket items for car thieves these days: Toyotas, Lexuses (especially CR-Vs), Jeep Wranglers, and Rovers are all prime targets, especially in Toronto. Apparently, they’re easier to steal than your grandma’s Buick, and the numbers back it up. Thefts are skyrocketing – we’re talking about a car vanishing every 19 minutes in the Greater Toronto Area alone.
Why So Easy? Blame the Manufacturers (and Kinda Yourself)
Carmakers are getting slammed for not doing enough to secure their rides. Auto columnist Lorraine Sommerfeld throws down the gauntlet, saying the onus shouldn’t be entirely on consumers to shell out for aftermarket security systems.
Enter the Aftermarket Cavalry: Tag Tracking to the Rescue
This is where Dasta and his black-box tracking gizmos come in. Tag Tracking installs these secret squirrels in your car, and if your baby gets swiped, they spring into action, remotely activating the tracker to find your lost love. The best part? Criminals and even you (the owner) have no clue where these trackers are hiding.
But Here’s the Catch: Sticker Shock for Some
Insurance companies in Ontario are pushing Tag Tracking hard, with some car owners even facing a $500 search fee if they don’t get it installed. The upside? The tracker itself costs roughly the same amount.
A Case Study: Laura’s Nightmare
Laura (who understandably wants to stay anonymous), 2022 Toyota 4Runner was snatched from her driveway at 4:10 am. She watched in horror as her prized possession disappeared into the night, unlocked, started, and driven away. Adding insult to injury, the thieves ripped out Toyota’s built-in tracker, forcing a wider search. The good news? The 4Runner was eventually recovered, but not before Laura’s trust was shattered. She also discovered a shocking truth: her supposedly high-tech security system? Apparently, a joyride away from useless.
Toyota? Crickets.
Toyota Canada clammed up, refusing to provide any data. Instead, they offered a vague statement about always “improving Tech features.”
The Takeaway: We’re All Getting Screwed
Canada has become a haven for auto thieves, with stolen vehicles often shipped overseas. Consumers are stuck footing the bill for aftermarket security systems, and carmakers seem content to play whack-a-mole with increasingly sophisticated criminals.
The Future? Who Knows, But Dasta’s Phone is Ringing
Back in Montreal, Dasta is already on another case – a stolen 2019 CR-V. He emphasizes that auto theft isn’t a victimless crime. Car owners are violated, insurance premiums go up, and it’s everyday folks who end up paying the price. So, the next time you hear about a carjacking, remember, it’s not just about a stolen vehicle – it’s about a broken system that’s leaving us all vulnerable.
