I recently read in Automotive Digest that car thieves last year preferred American models to foreign ones. The top 10 list of most stolen vehicles according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau’s list for 2010 is:

1. 1994 Honda Accord
2, 1995 Honda Civic
3. 1991 Toyota Camry
4. 1999 Chevy Silverado
5. 1997 Ford F150
6. 2004 Dodge Ram
7. 2000 Dodge Caravan
8. 1994 Acura Integra
9. 2002 Ford Explorer
10. 1999 Ford Taurus

Seriously? These were the TOP 10 vehicles that were stolen the most? Why the ‘91 Camry? Or the ‘94 Acura?

Is it that most of these cars were on the Cash for Clunkers program and parts are now hard to find? Or is it that thieves are now driving throwback vehicles. Last I checked,
the 1991 Toyota Camry is 20 YEARS OLD!

How many people are driving 20 year old Camry’s that the parts are THAT in demand for
thieves? Look, I know that if I’m stealing something (which I wouldn’t ever), I wouldn’t
take any one of the cars  on this list. Sure, I understand that more vehicles now of days are equipped with OnStar and LoJack and that stealing a newer make and model and actually
getting away with it is probably harder now than it ever has been. But come on, I wouldn’t risk jail and bail for any one of these vehicles.

Anyway, I thought that was a little bizarre.

Someone once told me that most businesses fail in their first year. And that if you make it three years that you are likely to be in business for ten or more.

It’s our anniversary in August, three years to the month when we first published Texas Auto Guide Midland/Odessa.

Looking back, we started off like gang busters then six months later, the bottom dropped out of the economy and we were struggling to stay alive. After many years of hard work and building great relationships, we have a great publication filled with tons of cars, trucks, vans, suv’s and motorcycles.

I laugh and think that it’s only been three years. Really? Three LONG years for me feels like 10 short years to any other business owner.

Maybe I’m exaggerating on the 10 years, but man it’s been a pretty tough road. With all the work comes reward and a satisfaction that what you’ve done is actually beneficial to the end consumer.

Thanks to all for picking up the magazine and using it to find and buy vehicles. I thank God everyday for consumers who use this magazine and for those that have read my trials and tribulations on my Land Cruiser project.

Also, I need to thank the dealers who advertise with us on amonthly basis. This magazine wouldn’t exist if they didn’t advertise their vehicles. They tell me every month how many calls they receive and how many vehicles they sell. To me, that’s instant gratification and a knowing that the magazine works for large and small dealers.

I thank God for the ability to go to work every day, knowing that what He’s done for me is more than I could ever do for Him. He’s taught me how to lean on Him in times of stress  and doubt.

Last, I thank my family for being there through it all and I thank YOU for picking up this magazine.