The Insurance Bureau of Canada has released its list of top ten stolen vehicles in 2008 and, for the fourth year in a row, two Honda Civic models topped the list.

Thieves targeting the 1999 and 2000 Honda Civic SiRs pushed the two-door models to the number one and two positions in IBC's list of most-stolen cars.

Rick Dubin, IBC's vice-president of investigations, says there's one simple reason thieves go after those models: They're easier to steal.

"It doesn't have a theft-protection system. (It's) a sporty car, very desirable," Dubin told CTV's Canada AM on Wednesday.

While many of the most-targeted cars were in the low end of the vehicle price range, this year's list also includes some high-end cars, including the the 2001 Audi TT. It ranked seventh.

Dubin says stolen sporty luxury cars appear to be in high demand by organized crime.

Here's is the Insurance Bureau of Canada's top ten list of most popular stolen cars:

1. 2000 Honda Civic SiR 2-door
2. 1999 Honda Civic SiR 2-door
3. 2004 Subaru Impreza WRX/WRX STi 4-door AWD
4. 1995 Dodge/Plymouth Grand Caravan/Voyager
5. 1995 Dodge/Plymouth Caravan/Voyager
6. 2002 Acura RSX Type S 2-door
7. 2001 Audi TT Quattro Roadster
8. 1995 Acura Integra 2-door
9. 1996 Dodge/Plymouth Neon 2-door
10. 1996 Dodge/Plymouth Neon 4-door

Dubin also urged Ottawa to reintroduce bills that would make it easier for authorities to go after organized auto theft rings and make auto theft a specific crime, not just a general property crime. The bills were dropped because of this fall's federal election.

IBC says there also are a number of steps individuals can take to protect their cars.

• Lock your doors.
• Don't create an incentive for break-ins by keeping valuables in view.
• Make sure your vehicle has an anti-theft immobilizer.
• Park your car in the garage at night. Lots of cars are stolen right from the driveway.
• Protect your keys. Don't leave them on the kitchen table to be spotted out the window, or don't leave them right by the front door.

According to Statistics Canada, 146,142 vehicles were stolen in Canada in 2007. Auto theft costs Canadian insurers about $540 million each year.