Watch the whole TV interview here: Stolen Catalytic-converters

STOLEN EXHAUST PARTS: Catalytic Converters trending

When Orko Manna calls automotive expert MyCarlady’s Sarah Lee Marks, he knows he’s getting the inside scoop on national trends in the automotive industry.  Hearing the story of two disabled veterans left stranded when thieves stole their cars’ catalytic converter, Orko wondered WHY?  “Are they reselling them on Craig’s List?” he asked Sarah, founder of MyCarlady, a local automobile services business.

Rare Earth Metals drive demand for stolen catalytic converters.

“NO, that would put the thieves in direct contact with a potential law enforcement sting,” she replied.  “Thieves are after the converters because they contain rare, valuable metals.  Rhodium, Platinum and Palladium inside the “cat”, are used to reduce carbon emissions from our cars. These three very rare, hard to mine and extremely valuable metals are in the $20,000-$60,000 an ounce price bracket.  Catalytic converter recyclers are paying between $150.00 and $500.00 a converter.”

Failure by automobile makers to mark them with the vehicle identification number makes tracing the stolen parts  impossible.  Consumers have taken to welding metal skid plates an, rebar cages around their catalytic converters to thwart thieves.  Auto insurers suggest securing your vehicle in  a garage or behind a locked gate.

“I’ve heard of brazen thieves attacking employee vehicles in company parking lots and shopping malls,” Sarah continued. The worst part of this situation is the replacement cost is easily $2,000.00, and the wait to get one is often 2-3 weeks.”

Fortunately the ending to the story of the two veterans featured in Manna’s KLAS-8NewsNow report is happy. Community partners pulled together to find a replacement part and pay for it’s installation.