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The city of New York is suing car manufacturers Kia and Hyundai – because the cars are too easy to steal. According to the American broadcaster CNBC and the Reuters news agency, a lawsuit for “public nuisance” has been filed in a court in Manhattan. The background is apparently lax security systems.

Two years ago, video network Tiktok described how models from Hyundai and Kia can be opened and started with a simple USB cable. Since then, there has been an explosion of thefts from the two car brands in New York, according to documents submitted to the court.

In the first four months of this year, 977 vehicles were stolen, an increase of 660 percent compared to the same period a year ago. Thefts of brands such as BMW, Ford, Honda, Mercedes, Nissan and Toyota, on the other hand, have decreased.

Elsewhere in the US, the Tiktok campaign also caused a rise in car thefts — in Chicago alone in August 2022, up nearly 800 percent year-on-year, the report said. In the United States, there were reported to have been 14 accidents with eight fatalities in vehicles stolen in this way, it was said in February.

“Crime floodgates open”

According to the reports, the city of New York accuses manufacturers of not adequately securing the models against theft. This has “opened the floodgates for auto theft, crime, reckless driving and public harm,” the court document said. According to the allegation, the companies did not install any immobilizers. Similar lawsuits are said to be pending in other US cities.

Hyundai pointed out, according to CNBC, that models will already be equipped with immobilizers as standard from November 2021. Measures have also been taken to make theft more difficult and there are contacts with the traffic authorities. Kia also said, according to CNBC, that they are in talks with authorities and want to fight against theft.

The two companies reached an agreement in May with customers accusing the company of a lack of backup capabilities. There would be a $200 million settlement, CNBC reported. In February, Kia announced a software update for eight million vehicles. They also want to give subsidies for steering locks.

(t-online, when)