Illinois, U.S.A. — The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) has released on August 20th Hot Wheels − its list of the 10 most-stolen vehicles in the United States. The report examines vehicle theft data submitted by law enforcement to the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) and determines the vehicle make, model and model year most reported stolen in 2011.

For 2011, the most-stolen vehicles in the nation were:

Each year, NICB reviews all NCIC vehicle theft records to produce its national and state lists of the 10 most-stolen vehicles. Hot Wheels is the only report that examines all theft data without regard to a vehicle’s insured status − if a vehicle was reported stolen to law enforcement, it is captured in this report.

The top 10 places were evenly split in 2011 with five belonging to foreign brands and five to U.S. automakers. Most popular models among the domestic brands were Ford, Dodge and Chevrolet pickup trucks each holding one spot with the Dodge Caravan and Ford Explorer rounding out the domestic models.

Once again, 2011 is on track to continue the national vehicle theft decline. Preliminary 2011 FBI crime statistics indicate a 3.3 percent reduction from the 737,142 thefts recorded in 2010. Vehicle thefts have not been this low since 1967.

“While overall thefts continue to decline, we are seeing a trend toward increases in the thefts of late model vehicles − ones that are theoretically harder to steal due to sophisticated key code technology,” said NICB President and CEO Joe Wehrle.

“Today’s vehicle thieves are typically professional criminals who have figured out how to get the key code for a specific vehicle, have a replacement key made, and steal the vehicle within a matter of days. We are aware of nearly 300 thefts that took place in the first three months of this year in which we believe replacement keys using illegally obtained key codes were used to steal the vehicle. We are working closely with our member companies, law enforcement, and the vehicle manufacturers to track these illegal key code transactions and stop the thefts or recover the stolen vehicles before they can be resold here or shipped out of the country to be sold overseas.”

Even one theft is one too many if it happens to you. NICB urges motorists to follow its “layered approach” to auto theft prevention. By employing these simple, low-cost suggestions, people can make their vehicles less attractive to thieves.

NICB’s four layers of protection are:

• Common Sense:  Lock your car and take your keys. It’s simple enough, but many thefts occur because owners make it easy for thieves to steal their cars.
• Warning Device:  Having and using a visible or audible warning device is another item that can ensure that your car remains where you left it.
• Immobilizing Device:  Generally speaking, if your vehicle can’t be started, it can’t be stolen. “Kill” switches, fuel cut-offs and smart keys are among the devices that are extremely effective.
• Tracking Device:  A tracking device emits a signal to the police or to a monitoring station when the vehicle is stolen. Tracking devices are very effective in helping authorities recover stolen vehicles. Some systems employ “telematics,” which combine GPS and wireless technologies to allow remote monitoring of a vehicle. If the vehicle is moved, the system will alert the owner and the vehicle can be tracked via computer.

Considering a used vehicle purchase? Check out VINCheckSM, a free vehicle history service for consumers. Since 2005, NICB has offered this limited service made possible by its participating member companies. Check it out at: www.nicb.org/vincheck.

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The recently released Hollywood film TRESPASS starring Nicholas Cage and Nicole Kidman gave the public a glimpse of a chic new approach to collectible art, known as Desk Architecture.

The brainchild of leading design expert Vladymir Rogov, the exotic Desk Architecture collection focuses on everyday functional objects in social rituals and human interactions.

During the film’s pre-production phase, Rogov was contacted regarding the possibility of featuring an all-silver collection in select scenes of the film. The selections included a Letter Tray, Letter Holder and Opener, two Ashtrays, two Clocks and a Picture Frame.

The highly distinctive works of art impressed several interior designers who saw the movie, then subsequently traced them to Rogov and ordered several for their clients’ homes.

“I was very pleased when I got their calls,” Rogov stated, “because it validated the producer’s decision to include the pieces in the film, while giving collectors wider exposure to unique designs.”

Designed for an exclusive niche of collectors, Rogov’s Desk Architecture offers discrimination and differentiation. Desk Architecture is heirloom quality and will last for generations. The line is manufactured in Southern California in limited editions, and is available in black nickel, silver or 24-karat gold clad. Each piece ships with a signed and numbered certificate of authenticity.

Rogov is regarded as a master at developing distinctive impressions for a wide range of everyday items — from musical instruments for kids and luxury vehicles for grown-ups to medical instrumentation for healthcare providers, to rugged military equipment and exotic housewares.

He has designed for such mega-brands as Chrysler, Fiat, Ford, and Rank Xerox; sleek home products such as glassware for Cascade; lighting for Compagnie des Lampes, France; and home products for Marks & Spencer, Habitat and Conran stores.

His design expertise has also been applied to coolers for Coleman; luxurious bathroom systems for Boeing; exotic seating for Aston Martin; self-serve gas stations for Exxon; printers for Hewlett-Packard; motion capture cameras for Kodak; point-of-purchase displays for Yamaha; TVs for Samsung; and clocks and musical instruments for Casio.

Rogov’s designs have led to five U.S. patents and numerous international awards, including two “International Design Excellence Awards” (IDEA) from the Industrial Designers Society of America.

He is also an influential and entertaining speaker who’s amusing and enlightening insights on art, culture and business make him an audience favorite.

Image Courtesy of   https://www.facebook.com/TrespassMovie

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After almost seven weeks of contract negotiations in Detroit, Michigan, the United Auto Workers Union (UAW) and General Motors (GM) agreed on a new, four-year contract on September 20. The new contract includes pay raises for entry-level workers, and new healthcare benefits, as well as job creation and retention.

Current second-tier workers will earn $18.28 by the end of the four years. Starting wages will range from $14.78 to $16.53, depending on seniority. First-tier workers will earn $19.28 at the end of the four years. Starting wages for first-tier workers will be $15.78 to $17.53, also dependent on seniority.

New employees will also receive annual pay raises. At the end of a four year period, they will earn the same amount as current employees. How much they earn is based on which tier they are part of. They will also receive a $5,000 signing bonus as part of the new contract.

As part of the new contract, employees will be able to visit the doctor as many times they as they need and pay $25 for each visit. They will also have annual wellness physical exams, paid in full by GM. They will not have co-pay for emergency room or urgent care visits. Workers will also have improved dental care. Doctor’s visits were also extended to workers’ children.

Approximately 6,400 jobs that would have been sent to factories in Mexico will be created or saved for the US. Additionally, new products and jobs will be created at current factories in Tennessee, Michigan, and Montana, and a soon-to-be-determined factory in Indiana. The new jobs and products is the result of a $2.5 billion investment from GM.

The old contract expired on September 14 at 11:59 p.m. This was the first set of contract negotiations since GM filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in June 2009. President Obama urged the company to pursue aggressive budget cuts to avoid bankruptcy, but the company was unsuccessful. According to a CBS timeline of GM, the company had almost $200 billion in debt. In July 2009, the US government bailed out the company for $50 billion.

The UAW also began negotiations with Chrysler and Ford. Chrysler is expected to come up with an agreement with the UAW soon. The company agreed to extend its contract with the UAW, and they will continue talks. Ford has extended negotiations to mid-October.

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Despite the Taxi and Limousine Commission of New York City deciding to say goodbye to its famous Crown Victoria — Ford, surprisingly, has managed to grab themselves a part of the pie. Even though Nissan’s truck cab are known as the signature cab of the Big Apple, the Commission may authorize the use of alternative vehicles for use in the fleet.

Still, it was a surprise when they gave their approval to the Transit Connect to offer a taxi with a gasoline engine of 2.0 liters. The alternative choice of the blue oval model leaves the door open to future versions of public service vehicles with natural gas or electric motors.

Currently the fleet of taxis in New York City consists of three cars: the iconic long battle Crown Victoria, Ford Escape Hybrid (as a clear vehicle) and the Toyota Sienna (service for wheelchair users). Approval to the Ford Transit also opens the question of what happens to the Turkish Karsan V1, made from scratch to replace the current New York yellow cabs, and despite having favor with the public, it has been set aside without further explanation.

Authorities in New York City yesterday approved for use as commercial vehicle cab Ford Transit Connect, whose production has been recently granted to the factory of the multinational oval Almussafes. For its part, the Ministry of Development and Ford Spain have established a task force to study the possibility of transporting the output of the factory by rail Almussafes.

The first Ford Transit Connect,have already entered service in New York, where they will change one of the immortalized silhouettes of the ‘Big Apple’ and that of their taxis. In any case, an excellent image operation to the Blue Oval is also business as it in the coming months will be added to the fleet of about 400 units.

In its first year on sale, Ford set aside about 1,000 taxis and Transit Connect and the U.S. market for the vehicles represents about 6,000 units a year — although in this case it seems crucial that the model is on the street 24 hours. A few years ago, you may remember the draft EuroTaxi, which did not seem to have stuck.

However, creating a competition among brands to present their projects according to specifications that weights the interior space, ease of access for elderly and low emissions seems a fairly logical and simple step.

Other U.S. cities where taxi users will be able to see this new public transport vehicle are Los Angeles, Chicago, Las Vegas, St. Louis, Tampa, Fla., Orlando, Fla., Hartford, Conn. and West Haven, Conn. Also, agencies have recently approved its use in Chicago, Boston and Philadelphia in a clear demonstration of industrial nationalism.

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