Top 10 most stolen cars in Malaysia (as of May 2019)
Things have been great since cars started becoming a thing.
No more riding on horses or trouble getting your Kereta Lembu ready in the morning.
And definitely no
more of that pesky walking business.
Unfortunately, ever since we’ve had cars, we also had to deal with car thieves.
Today the Vehicle Theft Reduction Council of Malaysia (VTREC) released a list of the topmost stolen cars in Malaysia for the first half of 2019.
The council which consists of several enforcement agencies and trade organizations is a coordinated task force to tackle cases of grand theft auto in the country.
So, here are the top 10 hottest cars – at least among thieves – in Malaysia;
10. Honda City
The Honda City has always been popular among Malaysian car buyers, and apparently, it’s quite admired by thieves too.
This family sedan produced by the Japanese manufacturer since 1981 has seen many different variations over the years.
Since the second-generation model was introduced in the country in 2019, the car has seen more than 100,000 units sold.
With 24 units stolen this year alone, we’re betting it is quite the lucrative prize among car thieves as well.
9. Honda Civic
The dream car of many hot-blooded, trigger-happy teens has gone through many changes since the first two-door model was introduced in 1972.
This Japanese machine has been credited to be among the best cars that the nation of the rising sun has to offer, noted as being reliable and having excellent performance.
Well, this trend is bound to keep on going, as the car takes 9th place with a total of 28 units stolen this year.
8. Nissan Vanette
Being the No.1 choice for transporting goods and annoying school children, the Nissan Vanette has been in production here in Malaysia since 1997.
This nifty vehicle was initially introduced by its Japanese manufacturer as a minibus, of sorts, quickly proliferated to streets around the world offering great versatility with its economic and compact design.
The van seems to be an all-round choice for thieving too, with 36 units stolen in 2019.
7. Proton Saga
Coming in at 7th place with a total of 40 units stolen this past year is none other than Malaysia’s very own iconic Proton Saga, the country’s first ever production car.
Being Proton’s flagship model, the Saga has stood the test of time as the manufacturer’s longest-running nameplate on the assembly line for over 31 years.
With its third-generation models released in 2016, the budget-sedan has proven itself to be a favorite among locals and carjackers alike.
6. Proton Waja
Though suffering the stereotype of being a Mitsubishi Lancer clone, this sexy saloon has the reputation of being the first-ever car to be fully designed in-house by Proton.
Even with the car’s production being discontinued, the Waja still remains admired by its fateful owners and still wanted for its durability and for being quite budget-friendly.
The car was even being sold in the UK under the name Proton Impian at one point.
It comes in at number 6 for car thieves who are looking to make their dreams come true.
5. Perodua Myvi
Credited to be the most successful car model in Malaysia, there are currently an estimated 1 million Myvis habituating the national roadways to date.
This subcompact car introduced back in 2005 was the result of the manufacturer’s collaboration with Japanese companies Toyota and Daihatsu, with its third-generation model being designed fully in-house here in Malaysia.
A total of 49 units of these small, speedy bugs were stolen this year, making it the 5th most favorite among Malaysian car thieves.
4. Toyota Hilux
Coming in at 4th place is the Toyota Hilux, this massive pickup truck was first introduced in 1968 has gone through multiple upgrades over the years with its eight-generation currently available in the market.
It is a popular choice among drivers for its sturdiness and reliability which was highlighted during an episode of BBC’s motoring TV show, Top Gear, where it survived even after being plunged into the ocean.
A total of 52 units of these trucks were nicked in 2019.
3. Perodua Kancil
The Perodua Kancil, the first-ever vehicle to be introduced by Perodua back in 1992, is a rebadged version of the Daihatsu Mira.
This small and versatile five-seater hatchback stands
triumphant as being one of the most preferred city-car in its time.
Most people would have had the experience of driving one of these babies when taking their drivers’ license test. Guess the car remains embedded in the memories of car thieves to boot with 70 units total stolen within the year.
2. Proton Saga Iswara
Not to be confused with the original Proton Saga, the Saga Iswara was released back in 1992 and made available as both a 4-door sedan and a 5-door hatchback.
This version of the car is noted to be cheap, reliable, and surprisingly fast for a vehicle from its time and was once the most popular choice for taxi drivers across the country.
A total of 82 units of these steel tanks were stolen as of 2019.
1. Proton Wira
That’s right folks if you haven’t figured it out by now, the most popular car in Malaysia is neither a fancy Italian sports car nor a fearsome American muscle car, but none other than Malaysia’s very own Proton Wira.
Making its first appearance in 1993, the Wira which translates to “hero†was based on the Mitsubishi Lancer and comes in a four-door saloon and a five-door hatchback model.
The Wira is known to be the perfect car for families and single folks alike for being practical, economical, comfortable and ultimately reliable in most ways.
Well, one thing you could definitely rely on is how panas the car is, with 127 units flinched away in 2019.
A total of 35,953 reported cases of vehicle theft had occurred in 2018.
This year, 12,710 cases of theft have been reported in which 9,308 motorcycles, 2,721 cars, and 681 commercial vehicles were taken between January to May.
This translates to a 49% reduction in vehicle theft incidents over the course of five years. (So it’s not all doom and gloom…)
Do you by any chance own one of the cars listed above?
