Thieves in the US are targeting Hyundai and Kia cars built without high-tech security devices immobiliser, but representatives for both brands in Australia say the same crime wave is not likely to happen here.
Hyundai and Kia cars are being targeted by car thieves in the US in what has become a major crime wave.
Thefts of the South Korean vehicles have increased by more than 750 per cent in some jurisdictions – according to US reports – due to certain models lacking basic anti-theft technology.
On social media platform TikTok, criminals in the US have demonstrated their ability to steal certain Hyundai and Kia cars built without an engine immobiliser.
By removing the plastic cover around the ignition, criminals are able to start the affected Kia and Hyundai vehicles with nothing more than a screwdriver and the end of a USB cable.
According to a media statement from the Cook County Sheriff’s department in the US state of Illinois, 642 Hyundai and Kia cars were reported as stolen in July 2022 – a 767 per cent increase compared to the 74 vehicles stolen 12 months prior.
Last month, police in St. Louis, Missouri, gave out free steering wheel locks to Hyundai and Kia owners who lived in their jurisdiction, as reported by local news station KMOV.
Since 2001, it has been compulsory for all new cars sold in Australia to be equipped with an engine immobiliser to comply with Australian Design Rules (ADR) 82/00.
Representatives for Hyundai and Kia have confirmed their current Australian models are fitted with immobilisers. It means thefts of Hyundai and Kia cars in Australia are only possible with access to the key – popular targets during home break-ins, as is the case will all motor vehicles equipped with the latest anti-theft devices.
A report by US industry journal Automotive News says affected Hyundai cars include “certain 2016-21 model year Accent, Elantra, Elantra GT, Sonata, Veloster, Venue, Kona, Tucson, Santa Fe, Santa Fe Sport, Santa Fe XL and Palisade vehicles that use a steel key and do not have an engine immobiliser.”
Kia’s US arm says almost all models produced between 2011 and 2021 not fitted with an immobiliser are affected.
According to Automotive News, Hyundai’s US arm and accessories company Compustar have developed a ‘security kit’ for affected models, available to vehicle owners at their cost (approximately $US170, or $AU260).
Jonathan Michaels, a principal attorney who filed a lawsuit against Hyundai, says labour fees alone could cost Hyundai owners at least $US500 ($AU770) to have the anti-theft devices fitted.
A US spokesperson for Hyundai told Automotive News the system is a “glass break sensor security kit that targets the method of entry used by thieves to break into these vehicles”.
In addition to the optional security kit, Hyundai USA says it is rolling out a software update in the first half of 2023 in an attempt to thwart thieves.
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