Mexico Sees 2010 Rise In Highway Thefts Of New Cars NASDAQ
By Paul Kiernan, Of DOW JONES NEWSWIRES
MEXICO CITY -(Dow Jones)- Theft of new cars by organized criminals on Mexican highways has surged this year, worrying the local auto industry as exports and sales recover from last year's recession.
So far in 2010, around 30 trailers loaded with new cars have been hijacked and stolen, up from about 16 trailers in all of 2009, said Luis Gomez, president of the Mexican Auto Distributors Association, or AMDA, at a press conference Monday.
Each trailer carries about 10 cars, he said, adding that the hijackings don't appear to be affecting any particular brand.
The economic impact of the robberies hasn't yet been calculated, Gomez said, noting that they affect both the auto and insurance industries.
"We've been working with the authorities, particularly the Interior Ministry and Finance Ministry," Gomez said.
Highway theft of auto parts is also up from last year, said Mexican Auto Industry Association President Eduardo Solis.
