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SoCar's VW Passat gets its infotainment screen stolen

Arvind · Oct 25, 2021 01:41 PM

SoCar's VW Passat gets its infotainment screen stolen 01

This is why Malaysians can’t have nice things. Seemingly, because every time a cool service is granted to Malaysian users, it is abused.

That’s surely the case when a SoCar user recently found the Volkswagen Passat he had booked did not have touchscreen infotainment unit. 

SoCar's VW Passat gets its infotainment screen stolen 02

2020 Volkswagen Passat featured

He aired his grievances in a forum thread on Lowyat.NET, complaining that the Volkswagen Passat he booked was in poor overall condition (due to lack of care or maintenance) and the head unit had allegedly been removed/stolen from the car. 

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SoCar's VW Passat gets its infotainment screen stolen 01

Various warning lights on the instrument cluster, possibly due to removal of the infotainment unit

Though unverified at this point, it is easy to understand why; these proprietary infotainment units are very expensive, costing in the thousands for an original replacement part.

Therefore, at just RM 25.33 an hour (pun intended), it’s much cheaper to rent a SoCar, and steal the parts that you need for your own car, or sell them later on as a black market item online.

SoCar's VW Passat gets its infotainment screen stolen 02

2020 Volkswagen Passat infotainment unit pictured

The Volkswagen Passat’s infotainment unit integrates features, audio, navigation, and other car-related features.

Also read: Don't get caught: prevent car thefts with these simple tips!

Arvind

Senior Writer

Arvind can't remember a time when he didn't wheel around a HotWheels car. This love evolved into an interest in Tamiya and RC cars and finally the real deal 1:1 scale stuff. Passion finally lead to formal training in Mechanical Engineering. Instead of the bigger picture, he obsesses with the final drive ratio and spring rates of cars and spends the weekends wondering why a Perodua Myvi is so fast.

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