Baltimore sues Hyundai, Kia over massive spike in car thefts The city of Baltimore has filed a federal lawsuit against car manufacturers Kia and Hyundai, joining a number of cities who say the companies created a public nuisance by making cars that can be easily stolen. “Hyundai and Kia’s decision to put cost savings and profits over public safety has had significant consequences for Baltimore and its residents, as it has in other cities,” the lawsuit says. Car thefts in the city have nearly doubled this year compared to the same time last year, part of a nationwide trend after videos showing how to easily steal the vehicles racked up millions of views on TikTok. ____________________________________ Blame the automakers instead of the thieves.
if a builder made homes w/shitty locks, owners should sue the builder or the lock maker for their failures. Just like every safety or security device in a home or car.
Hahahahaha Welcome to new age of the whole left inspired.... victim mentality. Pretty sure capitalism, in this particular case, the insurance companies.... could nip this in the bud pretty quick-like. Buy a new $70K F-150.... $2400/year in premiums. Buy a new $28K Kia.... $4900/year in premiums. Let capitalism do its thing, and watch how fast Kia fixes the problem. -case closed
What's scary though....odds are they already know this, but they're afraid to do it. Could you imagine an "above-the-fold" boldface headline from Wapo and/or the NYT's proclaiming: "Progressive Insurance Implements Racist Pricing Policies" -sub-title in smaller font: "Should Flo's white dress be tailored into a hood?" -And even smaller font: "Is Buffett's gecko next?"
The lack of basic security on Hyundai and Kia vehicles, during a defined set of production years, which make them easily stolen -- is a concern for both owners and municipalities which have to deal with the thefts (which were avoidable if the manufacturers had fixed the problem which they knew about much earlier). Kia and Hyundai agree to $200M settlement over car thefts NPR - https://tinyurl.com/ypn6szpy Kia and Hyundai have agreed to a class-action lawsuit settlement worth about $200 million over claims that many of the Korean automakers' cars are far too vulnerable to theft, according to lawyers for the companies and the owners. The settlement covers some 9 million owners of Hyundai or Kia vehicles made between 2011 and 2022 and have a traditional "insert-and-turn" steel key ignition system, lawyers for the owners said in a press release on Thursday. Compensation to owners includes up to $145 million in out-of-pocket losses that will be distributed to people who had their vehicles stolen. Affected owners can be reimbursed up to $6,125 for total loss of vehicles, and up to $3,375 for damages to the vehicle and personal property, as well as insurance-related expenses. Car thefts of the affected models, using a hack popularized on social media, have spiked in recent months. The growing number of thefts have coincided with the spread of a TikTok "challenge" that shows people how to steal Kia and Hyundai vehicles that lack basic security features. The trend has been linked to eight deaths, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The car companies said in February that they would begin rolling out software upgrades to the 8.3 million U.S. vehicles that lack engine immobilizers — a feature that prevents a car from starting unless it receives an electronic signal from a key. Since then, pressure on the company to do more to curb the thefts has only mounted. Citing the uptick in theft, several cities including Seattle, St. Louis, Mo., Columbus, Ohio, and Baltimore have sued Kia and Hyundai. Last month, attorneys general in 17 states and the District of Columbia urged the NHTSA to issue a mandatory recall of the vehicles in question. As part of the agreement, the anti-theft software will now be added to vehicles automatically at any dealership service appointment, the companies said in a news release. "We appreciate the opportunity to provide additional support for our owners who have been impacted by increasing and persistent criminal activity targeting our vehicles," said Jason Erb, Hyundai Motor North America's chief legal officer, in a statement.
Luckily, the market will force this fix. Either up your security game or lose buyers to other makers. It's how the market decided gas guzzling was unsustainable and crash safety unacceptable for previous OEMS, before regulation caught up.
Is that one of those declining cities where criminals started chop shops etc due to the relaxing of crime punishments ?