In particular, this kind of theft has already gained momentum in the United States, but based on the experience of mass catalytic converter theft, it is safe to say that over time it will spread to other countries, including Ukraine.
According to American media, over the past few days, a number of car owners from Detroit and surrounding areas have filed police reports about steering wheel theft. In particular, in just one town, Eastpointe, 11 such crimes were committed in two days. The most common targets for easy profit were Chevrolet Malibu and Equinox.
It is reported that the reason for this trend is the same severe economic situation in certain segments of the population due to the coronavirus crisis. In addition, the pandemic has led to disruptions in the production of some automotive components, and airbags have become a scarce commodity. It has gotten to the point where many mechanics are willing to pay substantial sums for valuable airbags, even if they are purchased on the black market.
If a new steering wheel with an airbag for a Chevrolet costs more than $1,500, it is not hard to imagine how much a steering wheel from premium cars like the Audi A8 or BMW X6 might cost.
