US Attorney Generals issued a statement once morest the Hyundai Motor Group. On the 20th (local time), a group of state government attorney generals from 22 states, including Wisconsin and Illinois, urged Hyundai Motors and Kia Motors to take anti-theft measures. Archyde.com reported that the Attorney General’s Group, in an official letter sent to Hyundai Motor, said it had “failed to take appropriate measures to address the growing problem of vehicle theft” and urged “more efforts to address related issues.” .
What happened to Hyundai-Kia Motors, which represents Korea? It started because of the theft video that spread indiscriminately on TikTok and others. Recently, the hashtag ‘#kia boyz’ has become very popular on social media such as TikTok. It was a video regarding unlocking Hyundai and Kia cars and stealing cars.
The theft, which was prevalent with the TikTok Challenge, took place in a vehicle that is generally keyed in and turned with a button start using a smart key. It is said that none of the cars in question are equipped with an electronic immobilizer to prevent theft. The vehicle starts by opening the key box, connecting the contacts, inserting a USB or flat-head screwdriver and turning it.
As this video spread like a trend under the name of ‘TikTok Challenge (challenge)’, the theft turned into a ‘play’ among teenagers. All of a sudden, reports of theft of Hyundai and Kia cars were pouring in across the United States. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said Hyundai and Kia’s TikTok Challenge has resulted in at least 14 vehicle crashes and eight deaths.
Hyundai-Kia Motors announced last month that it would provide software upgrades to regarding 8.3 million vehicles in the United States to prevent vehicle theft. About 4 million vehicles are subject to upgrade. The rest of the old models that are not upgraded have decided to provide a steering wheel lock for free.
Hyundai Motor America said it has notified more than 1 million customers of the problem so far. A Hyundai Motor official said, “It is not a problem caused by the US subsidiary violating local laws. Recognizing the seriousness of the issue, we are taking swift action by contacting customers and leasing companies.”
Hyundai-Kia Motors sold in the U.S. installed an electronic immobilizer to prevent theft as an option. In 2015 Hyundai and Kia cars, 26% of vehicles had immobilizers. After November 2021, an engine immobilizer is fitted as standard. On the 26th, Lee Ho-geun, a professor at Daeduk University’s Department of Automotive Engineering, said, “Not only Hyundai and Kia cars, but also any low-end cars that do not have an electronic engine immobilizer can be stolen. This happened because people did not choose the option.”
Reporter Han Myeong-oh [email protected]
