[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Haeyoung] Seattle, Washington, USA, has filed a lawsuit against Hyundai Motor Company and Kia Motors in federal court, claiming that the two companies did not apply anti-theft technology to some vehicles, leading to a surge in theft incidents.
According to local media such as KING 5 News on the 26th (local time), the Seattle prosecutor's office filed a lawsuit against Hyundai and Kia on the 23rd, stating that the companies were aware of public safety concerns due to the sharp increase in thefts but took no action.
In the complaint submitted to the court, the Seattle prosecutor's office argued, "Hyundai and Kia ignored principles and chose cost savings at the expense of customers and the public," adding, "As vehicle thefts (of vehicles without anti-theft devices) have significantly increased, the police have struggled to address the problem, and taxpayers have had to bear the burden of the rising thefts."
According to the City of Seattle, thefts involving vehicles from the two companies surged by 363% in 2021 and 503% in 2022. Last year, across the United States, a "theft challenge" trend spread on social media, where thieves targeted Hyundai and Kia vehicles lacking the anti-theft device called the "engine immobilizer." The engine immobilizer is a device that prevents the engine from starting if the door is opened without the vehicle key.
Vehicle owners in Wisconsin, Ohio, Missouri, Kansas, and other states filed class-action lawsuits last year, demanding compensation for thefts caused by defects in Hyundai and Kia vehicles. Local governments in Columbus, Ohio, and St. Louis, Missouri, also sued the two companies. Subsequently, Hyundai and Kia responded by providing steering wheel locks and security kits to prevent theft to vehicle owners last year.
Hyundai stated regarding this matter, "We have taken a series of measures to prevent vehicle theft," and added, "This lawsuit is inappropriate and unnecessary."
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