The theft of Hyundai Motors and Kia vehicles, which began in the Midwest of the United States and spread through social media, is also rampant in New York, the largest city in the United States.
According to foreign media such as CNN Business on the 30th (local time), New York City Police Commissioner Kishant Sewell announced on the same day that about 100 Hyundai and Kia vehicles were stolen in New York City alone in December of last year. Thefts began to increase in September of last year.
“Previously, the average was only 10 to 12 cases per month, but in December it increased to 100 cases,” he said at a press conference.
In addition, 109 people were arrested for stealing Hyundai and Kia vehicles this year, according to the New York Police Department.
The crime of theft targeting Hyundai and Kia vehicles in New York was first discovered in the Bronx and gradually spread to other areas.
New York Mayor Eric Adams blamed social media for the spread of crime. “We see it as not just stealing cars, but stealing the future of young people,” he said. “Social media companies need to play a more active role.”
Previously, in the United States last year, the ‘stealing Hyundai/Kia car’ challenge was popular among teenagers. It was easy to find videos of stealing Hyundai and Kia vehicles on the video sharing platform TikTok.
The reason why the main target is Hyundai/Kia Motors is that there are so many vehicles that are not equipped with an ‘engine immobilizer’.
The engine immobilizer is an anti-theft system in which a chip with a special password is inserted into the handle of a car key, and the ignition signal must match the engine. This device can effectively prepare for theft as it cannot start the vehicle even if the vehicle door is opened without a key.
Teenagers who commit crimes break the windows of vehicles without such an engine immobilizer, tear off the key holder, start the car using a USB cable, etc., and steal the car.
On the 20th, the attorney generals of 23 states, including Wiscosin and Illinois, sent official letters to Hyundai and Kia, urging them to take anti-theft measures for vehicles vulnerable to theft.
Hyundai and Kia said they are providing software upgrades to US consumers to prevent theft.
Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.