The Korean automakers Hyundai Motor and Kia Corp are being sued by the city of St. Louis and several other significant US cities, including Cleveland, San Diego, Milwaukee, Columbus, and Seattle, for failing to install anti-theft technology in millions of the companies' produced and sold vehicles.
Due to the rise in car thefts utilising a technique made famous on social media sites like TikTok, a case was brought to U.S. District Court in Missouri. By 2015, 96% of American automobiles had to immobilise anti-theft systems as standard equipment; however, just 26% of Hyundai and Kia vehicles from the 2015 model year had these devices as standard equipment.
According to statistics from the police and Missouri state officials, Kia and Hyundai vehicles are frequently targeted for theft in several US locations. Many of these vehicles are particularly prone to theft since they lack electronic immobilisers to deter break-ins and bypass the engine.
As a result, St. Louis and other cities nationwide are suing the automakers for failing to include sufficient anti-theft technology in their vehicles. According to St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones, these businesses must answer for their deeds because failing to put residents' safety before profit puts them at risk.
In response to worries about the frequency of auto thefts targeting their vehicles, Hyundai and Kia recently announced that they will provide theft deterrent software to vehicle owners free of charge. To avoid break-ins and engine bypassing, the firms will provide this software for millions of their vehicles that do not now have an immobiliser. This choice was made after Hyundai and Kia were sued by many significant US cities for failing to implement proper anti-theft systems. Also, the action comes in response to information from the National Highway Traffic Safety Authority that a popular TikTok social media challenge has resulted in at least 14 accidents and eight fatalities nationally.
The challenge entails removing the insignia or badge from an automobile, which has increased car thefts and associated accidents. Hyundai and Kia intend to ease these worries and raise the safety of their automobiles by providing this software.
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