The Mayor of New York, Eric Adamsreported today that the city will join a nationwide lawsuit against automakers Kia and Hyundai for failing to have anti-theft technologywhich led to an increase in thefts of these vehicles.
According to a statement from the mayor, the lawsuit is intended to “hold the two companies accountable for refusing to equip certain models of their cars with anti-theft measures”.
Several cities in the US are being affected by a wave of theft of Kia and Hyundai vehicles since a challenge was published on the Tik Tok network in August of last year.
The challenge challenges the theft of the models of these two brands that do not have an immobilizer and shows how to do it via USB cable and screwdriver.
14 CRASHES AND EIGHT DEATHS AS A RESULT OF THE CHALLENGE
The National Traffic Safety Administration reported that as a result of this challenge at least 14 crashes and eight deaths occurred.
Mayor Adams stated that because vehicles that are stolen do not have sufficient anti-theft devices, the city faced a 890 percent increase in Kia thefts at the end of last year and 766 percent in those of Hyundai in the previous months.
“We are not going to stand idly by while automakers turn a blind eye to safety and make it easy for criminals to take advantage of New Yorkers,” he said.
For his part, the city’s legal director, Hinds Radixstressed that a public security crisis is increasing in the city due to the “irresponsible business practices” de Kia y Hyundai.
He stressed that those who commit these robberies often use cars for other crimes, such as reckless driving or committing robberies. “This is a big concern for us, and we are taking steps to end it,” he said.
