Security News > 2023 > June > New York City latest to sue Hyundai and Kia claiming their cars are too easy to steal

Hyundai and Kia cars were stolen 977 times in New York City in the first four months of 2023, and authorities have had enough.

"This represents a roughly 660 percent increase in thefts of Kia and Hyundai vehicles as compared to those same months in 2022, when there were only 148 such thefts," blasts the complaint [PDF] filed with the United States District Court, Southern District of New York.

"Hyundai's and Kia's business decisions to reduce costs, and thereby boost profits, by foregoing common anti-theft technology have resulted in an epidemic of thefts. This vehicular crime wave has had a significant impact on law enforcement operations, emergency services, and public safety, including in New York City, where there are significant competing priorities for New York City Police Department."

We emphasize the States because "Hyundai and Kia vehicles sold in the European and Canadian markets incorporate vehicle immobilizers, because regulations there expressly require them. It is only in the United States that Hyundai and Kia have chosen to sacrifice public safety for profits," the complaint claims.

"Defendants' conduct has created a public nuisance that could have been mitigated or avoided had they followed industry-wide standards and installed immobilizer devices, or an equivalent anti-theft device, in all their vehicles," the New York City complaint alleges.

New York City accuses the automakers of common law public nuisance and negligence, seeking a jury trial in pursuit of compensatory and punitive damages among other measures to prevent further thefts.

News URL

https://go.theregister.com/feed/www.theregister.com/2023/06/08/new_york_city_hyundai_kia/