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Car theft skyrockets thanks to rising parts prices

Cars and trucks today have achieved a high level of average quality, with safety and technology features that keep occupants safer than ever and meet consumers' high expectations. But the National Insurance Crime Bureau finds that those components come with a rising price tag, leading to expensive repair bills — and rising vehicle thefts to support a thriving black market for parts. The nonprofit NICB said it looked at the cost of replacement parts for the top 10 stolen 2016 models, with average OEM part prices pulled from a database of more than 24 million vehicle damage appraisals generated for 2016 and 2017 insurance claims. The list did not include major components like engines or transmissions, only easily-stripped components like bumpers, doors, hoods and headlights. It found that: The 2016 Toyota Camry, which had a used market value of around $15,000, had 15 commonly replaced parts that added up to almost $11,000, not including labor, with quarter panels alone costing almost $1,600 a pair and a set of alloy wheels tallying more than $1,600. The Camry was also the top stolen vehicle in 2016 at 1,113 thefts. A 2016 Nissan Altima had 14 standard parts worth more than $14,000, including a single headlamp assembly that costs just over $1,000. The Altima was the second-top stolen vehicle in 2016 at 1,063 vehicles stolen. And the 2016 GMC Sierra pickup, which was No. 7 on the 2016 top-stolen list, rang up $21,000 from 20 standard components, including an $1,100 headlamp assembly and an $1,100 rear bumper. "For the professional theft ring, stealing and stripping vehicles for parts has always been a lucrative business," Jim Schweitzer, NICB's senior vice president and chief operating officer, said in a statement. "On today's cars and trucks, the parts are often worth more than the intact vehicle and may be easier to move and sell. That's why we see so many thefts of key items like wheels and tires and tailgates ... there's always a market for them." Check out the NICB infographic below. Vehicle thefts in the U.S. rose by more than 4 percent in 2017, based on preliminary FBI data, after rising 7.6 percent in 2016, though the overall trend has been down since vehicle thefts peaked in 1991, according to the NICB. Related Video: Image Credit: National Insurance Crime Bureau Aftermarket GMC Nissan Toyota Auto Repair Insurance Ownership auto parts car values stolen car nicb national insurance crime bureau components

2018 GMC Terrain loses the V6 and gains a diesel for an all-turbo lineup

You may have noticed that compact crossovers are kind of a big deal these days. After eight years on sale, GMC is finally getting a new version of its littlest ute, the Terrain, for 2018. And it can't arrive a moment too soon. The 2018 GMC Terrain made its debut tonight on the eve of the 2017 Detroit Auto Show. The 2018 Terrain looks to be completely new, and is now built on GM's D2XX platform. It again shares a platform and major components with the Chevrolet Equinox; like the 2018 Equinox, the Terrain will offer three engines, including two turbocharged gas four-cylinders and a turbodiesel four. The base 1.5-liter gas four makes 170 horsepower and 203 pound-feet of torque, while the 2.0-liter inline-four puts out 252 hp and 262 lb-ft. (The 2.0 basically takes the place of the 3.6-liter V6 offered in the outgoing Terrain.) GM's 1.6-liter diesel four will also be available, making 137 hp and 240 lb-ft of torque in this application. Both gas engines will be paired with nine-speed automatic transmissions, while the diesel gets a six-speed auto. No fuel-economy claims have been made, but we expect the new models to outdo the current versions, with the diesel reaching around 40 mpg on the EPA highway cycle. View 14 Photos The new Terrain's design is equally fresh and does a good job of differentiating it from the related Equinox, with details very reminiscent of the new GMC Acadia. The lighting elements are even more intricate here, with LEDs used for the daytime running lights and taillamps. GMC designers gave it the floating-roof look, which is successful aside from the odd placement of a trim badge at the base of the D-pillar. Terrains will again be available in SL, SLE, SLT, and range-topping Denali trim, with the latter featuring the signature satin chrome grille, chrome accents, and monochrome paint scheme GMC uses on all of its top-trim models. The interior sees an upgrade in materials and a more-thoughtful layout, with a new version of GM's Electronic Precision Shift gear selector using buttons and switches instead of a lever to open up more space on the center console. Both front- and all-wheel-drive models get a Traction Select system that will tune the shift points and throttle points for specific driving conditions via a knob at the rear of the console. On models equipped with all-wheel drive, a front-drive mode disconnects the rear axle to improve fuel economy.

New GMC feature reminds drivers to check for kids in hot cars

We see the stories every summer: Dozens of children die from heat stroke every year after being left inside hot cars. GMC has introduced a feature in the 2017 Acadia in an effort to help curb the problem. Simply called Rear Seat Reminder, it alerts the driver if the vehicle suspects someone might have been accidentally left behind. GMC's alert will trigger under certain circumstances. Five chimes will sound and a warning will display if the rear doors are opened and closed within 10 minutes of the vehicle starting or if those doors are opened while the vehicle is running. The system does not sense items or people in the rear seat like the front passenger seat would to trigger the airbag. Warnings will be displayed regardless of interior or exterior temperature; while the summer months are the deadliest, leave-behind deaths occasionally occur during cold weather. Drivers should be aware that temperatures in vehicles can quickly rise to dangerous levels, even if the ambient temperature seems cool and comfortable. View 23 Photos Unfortunately, a large percentage of children are intentionally left in cars. A negligent caretaker, whether it be a parent, grandparent, or babysitter, can leave a child behind while they go to work or run an errand, not expecting any problems. Some children unintentionally trap themselves in cars while playing in the cabin or trunk. The Acadia's system is unlikely to prevent these scenarios. While we believe that GMC should be commended for making an effort to put an end to these tragedies, we're not certain how effective the system might be until driver education improves. It's also possible drivers will come submit to warning fatigue and begin to ignore the messages. That said, if this software-based solution prevents just one death, it was worth the effort. Related Video: Image Credit: GMC GMC Safety Crossover gmc acadia