Here is why and how thieves steal Holden Commodores
As a result, Holden Commodores remain popular among Australian drivers, but they are also a popular target for thieves seeking to make a profit by selling them.
Although it has been out of production for nearly a decade, the Holden Commodore remains one of Australia’s favourite cars.
Data gathered by various state road authorities suggests, however, that the homegrown icon is also popular among thieves.
In Victoria alone, 949 Holden Commodores were stolen between July 2023 and July 2024, according to the latest data collected by the Crime Statistics Agency.
Despite the fact that Victoria Police declined to comment specifically on the increase in Holden Commodore thefts, a spokesperson told Drive that: “When any trends in vehicle theft are identified, specialist units such as the Vehicle Crime Squad work closely with manufacturers and insurers to ensure that all parties are able to address potential problems.
According to the Royal Automotive Association (RAA) – the state’s peak motoring body – the Australian icon was one of the most stolen vehicles in South Australia during the financial year 2023-2024.
According to the Royal Automotive Club of Queensland (RACQ), the Holden Commodore was the most stolen vehicle in Queensland between 2019 and 2020.
The RACQ spokesperson, however, stated that Toyota HiLuxes, Toyota Landcruisers, and Ford Rangers have emerged as the most popular models among thieves in recent years.
According to a 2023 report published by the Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOSCAR), Holden vehicles were the most frequently stolen in New South Wales.
It is unclear whether these Holden models were predominantly Commodores, but between April 2018 and March 2023 there were 6953 Holden vehicles stolen in NSW, corresponding to a theft rate of 1.8 vehicles per 100,000 registered vehicles.
Drive contacted NSW Police for comment, but they declined to do so.
What is the reason for the theft of Holden Commodores?
Ashley Glenister, the Managing Director of TrackN, a Gold Coast-based automotive car security company, has stated that Holden Commodores are frequently targeted by thieves as they are “relatively common on the roads and blend in better than European brands”.
“Most of these cars, such as the HSV [Holden Special Vehicles], are targeted for two reasons,” Glenister told Drive.
The Holden Commodores blend in easily, especially if they are used for criminal activity. It is more likely that they will be used for parts if not.
Due to the fact that Holden (especially HSV) no longer has a manufacturing presence in Australia, we are now targeting newer models.
There is no need for spare parts to be provided by a manufacturer after seven years. Consequently, rebirthing operations and crime syndicates dealing with stolen parts for the repair industry have gained access to stolen parts,” he explains.
There is a lack of new spare parts for Holden Commodores, which makes secondary market parts a lucrative business for thieves.
Generally speaking, rebirthing is a colloquial term used to describe an illegal activity in which the offender steals a vehicle and attaches new markings, such as a false vehicle identification number (VIN), before selling it again.
According to Drive, Victoria Police uncovered a rebirthing operation involving Holdens and HSVs in June 2024, where an unnamed man was arrested and charged.
Several stolen number plates, 20 sets of keys, and multiple vehicle diagnostic tools worth $50,000 were recovered by police, according to police.
“Rebirthed vehicles can pose a significant safety threat to unwitting buyers – the process of rebirthing is often not carried out by a qualified mechanic, which means the vehicle could be in serious trouble, which may result in an accident,” said Detective Inspector Julie Macdonald from the Vehicle Crime Squad.
What is the method by which thieves steal Holden Commodores?
While older Holden Commodores typically are more prone to theft because they lack advanced security measures, Glenister said newer models can also be stolen since thieves can re-programme a new key to gain access or have the original RF-key hacked or scanned nearby to gain access to the vehicle.
Using special equipment, the thieves have programmed a new key into the car and driven away with it, he told Drive.
“A client recently showed me video footage of thieves stealing his vehicle. A [Apple] Air Tag was placed on the car so that it could later be located.
The footage shows that they arrived at 4:00am and that a new key was programmed into the car after they arrived at 4:00am. Glenister explained that the entire process took approximately three minutes.
Theft of cars can be prevented in what ways?
Experts recommend a variety of security tools and gadgets that can reduce the likelihood of a vehicle being stolen in order to prevent car thefts.
TrackN offer electronic security devices such as GPS trackers and remote immobilisers that can be accessed using a mobile device.
Ashley Glenister Manging Director of TrackN’s opinion, GPS tracking is the best method because you can still locate the vehicle even after it has been towed away without being started.
It is possible to track the vehicle remotely and shut it down remotely from the owner’s smartphone anywhere in the world using the RE147 Remote Engine Immobiliser, according to him.
According to the Managing Director of TrackN, the RE147 Remote Engine Immobiliser costs approximately $250 for installation and $10 per month for user-controlled monitoring. The price of a particular vehicle may vary, however.
With Smart Phone Immobiliser SPI360, customers can use an encrypted smartphone app to remotely stop and start their engines.
The $880 one-time fee covers the device, installation, and app/pin setup, according to Ashley Glenister, TrackN’s Managing Director. There are, however, a limited number of models available for this device.
In addition, car owners looking for an affordable safety tool could consider Faraday bags, which are stuffed with a material that blocks electromagnetic fields, which can prevent thieves from boosting or relaying the signal of a key.
Previously, Drive tested a range of Faraday bags ranging from $12 to $100. Click here to find out if these security accessories are effective.
According to a spokesperson for Aus Security Products, “Old-school methods such as steering wheel locks and gear stick locks act as deterrents against potential thieves though can be easily cut with a grinder.”.
It is also recommended that you keep your vehicle in a secure and well-lit location in order to make it less appealing to potential thieves.
It is recommended that you always lock your doors and close your windows, regardless of whether you are parking at home or in a garage. Security measures such as CCTV cameras or sensor lights installed in the area where your vehicle is parked can also help deter thieves,” they explained.
