Insolent thief stole 25 sets of keys for a new car waiting to be delivered
A new car is a scary commodity and now a brazen thief in North Queensland has been eyeing some of the valuables available.
Key points:
- Chevrolet Silverado, Dodge Ram stolen from Mackay’s car yard
- The waiting time for a new car is now an average of six months
- The Motor Traders Association says new cars come with fewer options to reduce waiting times
The burglar used a grinder to punch a hole in the fence of the new car storage area in Mackay on Monday night and then broke into the office lock safe, retrieving 25 sets of keys.
They then broke down the front gate on the cars that had already been sold, including the high-end Chevrolet Silverado that had been ordered back.
New Pioneer Motors Managing Director Keith Callinan said the attack was devastating.
“That’s the really, really sad part about it … it’s not like we can go and get another one and give it to him,” she said.
The Silverado has since been found dumped in the long grass in the city’s industrial area.
Mr Callinan said another car, a Dodge Ram, was seen doing a fuel drive several hundred kilometers away.
Police said car-related businesses in Mackay, such as point of sale and mechanics, had been targeted in recent weeks.
Officers have worked with businesses to reduce their security risks.
Less options, less functionality
Auto dealers are still struggling to get enough stock to sell, due to several factors including COVID-19 and shortages of critical components.
The deputy general manager of member services of the Motor Traders Association, Marcello Riotto, said waiting times for new cars had been pushed to an average of six months.
“There are lockdowns around the world, shipping issues with hard-to-reach shipping containers and the war in Ukraine has affected supply chains,” he said.
Mr Riotto said some new cars were being shipped with fewer features in a bid to speed up the process, leaving customers with fewer options.
“Some new cars come with less functionality … not in terms of safety, but in terms of comfort,” he said.
“Things like the head view where you can see the speed on the windshield, that’s nice to have, it’s deductible.”
He said some customers bought white vehicles because it was the only color available.
“You can’t be too selective because there are other people waiting in line waiting for the vehicle,” he said.
Delay to continue
While many parts of the economy are working in the new COVID-normal setting, it may be some time before waiting times for cars decrease.
Mr Riotto said there were indications it would not be until next year.
“In the US they’re starting to get the supply right, so maybe as long as 2022 for them, but in Australia it’s probably 2023,” he said.
But according to him it is not guaranteed.
“If you can’t supply, it’s very frustrating, so it’s a tough show for everyone … and obviously consumers are messing around with different prices and contract agreements, so it’s been a crazy ride,” he said.
Attention to safety
Mr Callinan said there would be a significant sustained impact from the ram attacks this week.
Apart from building repairs, he said, it would take at least a month before all the cars that had their keys taken could be sold.
“We had to re-lock it, which was expensive but then actually get the parts and then get the technicians to put the parts together,” he said.
This is not the first time businesses have been targeted.
A few years ago a car was taken from a showroom after a crowbar was used to break into and retrieve a spare key from the warehouse.
“The master key was in a locked safe, but the insurance company told us they shouldn’t be in that place and refused to pay the claim,” Callinan said.
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