End of the road for Proton Wira with ceasing of parts production

PETALING JAYA: Proton Wira owners will not be able to find any more replacement components for their vehicles as spare parts for this model had been discontinued.

A source in the automotive industry said Proton and its local third-party manufacturers had stopped manufacturing Wira parts for good.

“It has been 10 years since the last Wira was rolled out and 25 years since the first model was produced,” said the source.

“The original equipment manufacturer (OEM) companies found it no longer economical to make Wira parts and they are concentrating on newer models.”

The source said although Wira shared identical components with the earlier manufactured Mitsubishi Lancer, the spare parts from this Japanese model is also no longer available in the market as it has been more than 30 years since the model – which Proton Wira was based on – was produced.

The source said Wira parts which can be found in the market are the last remaining stocks.

The Star had reported the model, which has little value in the used car market, is a hot item among thieves.

Last year, statistics showed 654 Wira models were stolen.

General Insurance Association of Malaysia said the cars were stolen and cannibalised for its parts.

Many second-hand Wira parts can also be found in “potong kereta” outlets.

A total of 952,216 units were sold in its 16 years of production from 1993 to 2009. It has been estimated that at least 85% of the models are still on the road.