Baltimore blames Kia and Hyundai for ‘vehicular crime wave’ as suit claims cars are too easy to steal

New York Post ^ | 5/17 | Patrick Reilly

[nickcarraway]

The city of Baltimore is suing automakers Kia and Hyundai, claiming their vehicles are too easy to steal and have fueled a “vehicular crime wave” that has burdened the city.

Baltimore joins Seattle, St. Louis and a number of other major US cities that have sued the companies alleging a lack of anti-theft technology in the vehicles has contributed to a surge in stolen cars.

According to the city officials, car thefts are up 95% in Baltimore this year compared to the same time in 2022, with Kias and Hyundais accounting for 41% of all instances.

[Rummyfan]

If i were in TPTB in KIA or Hyundai, I’d simply stop selling cars in Maryland.

[Chicory]

Guess there is a reason they don’t sue TikTok and the posters who issue challenges to steal these two cars, possibly with instructions!

https://www.wypr.org/the-baltimore-banner/2023-04-10/gone-in-30-seconds-tiktok-challenge-leading-to-thefts-of-kia-hyundai-cars-hits-maryland

[KittyKares]

I don’t understand this. Doesn’t the ignition button need at least a key fob in your pocket? Or did the earlier models not need that?

[thegagline]

Well, holding the reparations crowd responsible for anything is racist.

[tuffydoodle]

Seriously? It’s the car owners fault because their car gets stolen? What a world we live in.

[Tell It Right]

Unless we’re traveling through Louisiana, the owners of our Hyundai are armed.

[Opinionated Blowhard]

In fairness, who really wants to steal a KIA?

[NohSpinZone]

This is as insane as it gets. How about blaming the criminals stealing the cars instead?

[21twelve]

The ignition hack is done by breaking into the steering column and plugging a standard USB plug into a port inside which then starts the car.

I installed two hidden ignition switches in my Hyundai a year ago. Also put the club on the steering wheel which might keep them from breaking a window and the steering column. Although I haven’t heard of it happening in my neighborhood. Yet.

[Mopp4]

The idiots running Milwaukee did the same thing. Totally not the fault of assholes who have no problem breaking the law.

[Skid289]

This makes perfect sense if you also believe firearms should be banned because criminals kill people with them.

[ConservativeMind]

This is how bankrupt cities pull in dollars from outside, when additional taxes are politically unpopular.

[blackdog]

As they do mini-marts, gas stations, and convenience stores.

Pattern here?

[adorno]

In fairness, who really wants to steal a KIA?

KIA and Hyundai are basically the same cars, with different labels. In any case, those cars come with longer warranties than any other vehicles in the market. Plus, most cars nowadays share a lot of parts that are made by the same manufacturers.

I actually like how a Hyundai Palisade is equipped with more luxury features than a lot of vehicles which are in the luxury end of cars. I'm considering trading in my 2022 Lexus RX 350 for a Palisade.

[hanamizu]

How about blaming the criminals stealing the cars instead?

---

No, that’s just wrongthink. Blaming, and even worse, actually punishing the criminals costs the government time and money. On the other hand suing the car makers brings money into the government. Cui Bono?

[the OlLine Rebel]

Oh yes, like the druggie on Judge Judy who blamed her friend for her arrest for possession because he fell asleep while driving and crashed while she was with him.

This issue came up last week. Asinine. Can’t blame the THUGS or the nasty culture that thinks it’s fine to steal stuff.

[monkeyshine]

What’s it to the city anyway? This is between the car owner and the insurance company. The city just doesn’t want to take reports of or prosecute car theft. They want money.

These two cars may indeed be easier to steal... but being inexpensive cars they are probably also in demand for parts which may have more to do with the rise in thefts than how easy it is to steal. If I recall the Camry used to be the #1 stolen car for that reason. I don’t recall cities suing Toyota for making a popular car.

[the OlLine Rebel]

Yes, as Skittles should stop selling in CA.

[mrmeyer]

One where perpetrators of crime are also victims.