That's not correct. Immobilizers are not common in Japan or South Korea, both of which have extremely low auto theft rates. Canada has mandated immobilizers since 2007 and its auto theft rate is 248.5 per 100k per year, which is only slightly lower than the US, but still 17
times higher than Japan and 50 times higher than South Korea. Immobilizers have also been required in Australia since 2001, but its auto theft rate is the same as Canada.
If you measure auto theft rate per vehicle (not per person), then the US has the same rate as Canada. There are 16% more auto thefts per capita in the US, but the US also has 17% more cars per capita than Canada.
If lack of immobilizers was the main factor, Canada would have significantly lower auto theft rates than the US, and countries that mandated immobilizers would not have theft rates 15x higher than countries where they were uncommon. Neither of these are true, so immobilizers are most likely not the main factor in auto theft rates.
Auto theft rates are mostly determined by car ownership rates and the number of auto thieves on the street. The number of auto thieves on the street is determined by how quickly they are caught, and how long they are locked up for. Auto theft recidivism rates are higher than any other crime, including drug offenses. Around 80% are re-arrested within 3 years of being released. Considering the clearance rate for auto theft is around 10%, that means the average auto thief is stealing a lot of cars before being caught again, and the actual recidivism rate is higher than 80%.
If you measure auto theft rate per vehicle (not per person), then the US has the same rate as Canada. There are 16% more auto thefts per capita in the US, but the US also has 17% more cars per capita than Canada.
If lack of immobilizers was the main factor, Canada would have significantly lower auto theft rates than the US, and countries that mandated immobilizers would not have theft rates 15x higher than countries where they were uncommon. Neither of these are true, so immobilizers are most likely not the main factor in auto theft rates.
Auto theft rates are mostly determined by car ownership rates and the number of auto thieves on the street. The number of auto thieves on the street is determined by how quickly they are caught, and how long they are locked up for. Auto theft recidivism rates are higher than any other crime, including drug offenses. Around 80% are re-arrested within 3 years of being released. Considering the clearance rate for auto theft is around 10%, that means the average auto thief is stealing a lot of cars before being caught again, and the actual recidivism rate is higher than 80%.