THIEVES TARGET MYVI PREMIUM Airbags!

Recently (past 6 months), there's been numerous report from MYVI Owners that their MYVI Premium Airbags got stolen. There's 5 cases reported from MYVI Motorsports Club (myvi.com.my) members alone... Apparently, the thieves open the Bonnet using the Bonnet release cable (reachable by hand from front right tyre/wheelarch gap). Disable the alarm by short circuit the lights/fuse, then gain access to the interior and remove the airbags (using some hi-tech tools as there's no mark on the dashboard). These airbags costs RM5000+ to replace...

NOT ONLY THAT, According to one MYVI Club forummer "gunnereric89":
"Dear all...latest theft activity... Now they are stealing original Radios too...i got the news from my foremen..they got two myvi airbags and original radios stolen.. Not sure bout the place (think is in SRI RAMPAI area) but i heard that its the latest thing besides than our airbags.. Do be xtra careful my fellow members...

(NOTE: Applicable to THE LATEST FACELIFT RADIO/CD Player with MP3 and Bluetooth)"

MY HOUSE GOT 1 year 2007 MYVI SXI Premium BELONGED to my SISTER, so I ALSO WORRIED... I visited www.myvi.com.my and got some precautions/ideas from their members. Here's some:

1) Cover up or hide your Bonnet release cable away from hand reach... Better still, install a Steel plate to cover the Cable. This costs not more than RM100.

2) UPGRADE Alarm: If possible, buy the one that have beeping remote. If your car crying, your remote also can receive (ie. 2 way alarm). just a suggestion. But remember, put one more extra 12Vdc supply to your alarm. One MYVI Owner suggested this model which he said is EFFECTIVE w/o breaking the bank:
"Steelmate model 898G" with Autostart (Optional) & LCD+Vibrate transmitters. RM320 only.

WHERE TO BUY?
1) http://www.mudah.my/Steelmate-2-WayCar-Alam-System-with-Auto-Start-4631586.htm

For more info, visit: http://www.steel-mate.com/

3) Lastly, send your Perodua manufactured before April 2009 to Perodua Service centre from 1st week of December onwards for FREE Security Update. Heard, it's FREE.


Without further ado, I now present this article from Malay Mail...

Thieves target Myvi airbags

Police form taskforce to nab syndicate

By Teoh El Sen
Monday, November 9th, 2009 07:07:00


EXPENSIVE ITEM: New airbags cost about RM5,000


MYVI owners beware! The most popular car in Malaysia is now being targeted by thieves.

Malay Mail learnt recently that syndicates have been stealing airbags, the single most expensive part in the car’s cabin — to resell them in the black market to unscrupulous parts dealers.

And while consumers can install “second hand” airbags from unauthorised dealers at cheaper prices at about RM1,000, instead of RM5,000 for a pair, many are unaware of the dangers — that the airbag may not function or may deploy at odd times. Or worse, it could explode and injure the installer.

What’s more worrying about this thieving trend is that it is not difficult to do for those with the expertise.

Following several complaints to Perusahaan Otomobil Kedua Sdn Bhd (Perodua), the car manufacturing company found that there was a security weakness in the car that could be exploited.

Thieves with the technical know-how could apparently open up the Myvi hood easily, short-circuit certain equipment and gain access to all the vehicle doors. From that point onwards, stealing the airbags is a breeze.

Following months of research, Perodua has come up with a counterplan and has fixed
anti-theft features on new cars coming out next year.

Older models would, however, need to return to service centres for an upgrade.

This spate of bizzare Myvi airbag thefts, which began cropping-up last year, has also concerned police so much that Kuala Lumpur and Malacca police have formed special task-forces to target the syndicate. Kuala Lumpur deputy CID chief ACP Khairi Ahrasa said: “There have been more than 50 cases reported in the Sentul district itself.

“We have formed a taskforce and are investigating who may be behind the thefts,” he said, adding that there was a sudden increase since June this year.
Such thefts have been reported in Wangsa Maju, Setapak, and Kepong. A source said there have also been cases in Petaling Jaya, Brickfields and Cheras. Malacca CID chief ACP Adnan Abdulllah said the State had recorded more than 17 cases.

“The majority of the cases are in central Malacca. We have formed a taskforce to investigate the cases,” he said, adding that they are also working closely with their Kuala Lumpur counterparts.

And while Perodua itself has received about five complaints, the total number of unreported cases cannot be established.

SOURCE: MALAY MAIL, 9 November 2009.
http://www.mmail.com.my/content/18273-thieves-target-myvi-airbags