(Molly Bruns, Headline USA) The city of Chicago launched a lawsuit against automotive manufacturers Hyundai and Kia for not installing anti-theft technology into their vehicles, making them easier targets for criminals.
“Unlike the movies, hot-wiring vehicles is far harder than it appears—unless that vehicle was manufactured by Hyundai or Kia,” the lawsuit read.
Vehicles manufactured between 2011-2022 do not have push-button ignitions or anti-theft devices, making them more susceptible to theft, according to Just the News.
Using videos posted on social media as their guide, thieves have stolen different Hyundai and Kia models with just a screwdriver and a USB cord.
Some major insurance companies have refused to cover owners of the two makes, as they deemed them too easy to steal.
Meanwhile, as policy failures lead to upticks in theft and violent crime, Chicago and other Democrat run cities who actively sought to “defund the police” just three years ago are now seeking scapegoats to deflect blame for the inevitable consequences of those actions.
New York City, Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Cleveland, Baltimore, Seattle, San Diego, St. Louis, Columbus and Memphis have all filed similar suits against the two companies in recent months.
A federal judge passed over a lawsuit that would have covered about 9 million vehicles manufactured in the last 10 years, and would have cost the companies a combined $200 million in damages.
U.S. District Judge James Selna claimed the suit did not provide “fair and adequate” compensation for Kia and Hyundai owners.
Several attorneys general pushed the judge to rule that the automotive manufacturers install anti-theft technology and implement a buyback program for customers with noncompliant cars, despite the fact that the companies already offered to upgrade the less secure models with software updates and steering wheel locks.
Democrat attorneys general from 17 states and Washington, D.C., sent a strongly worded letter to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, urging them to force a recall of all compromised Kia and Hyundai vehicles.
Car thefts spiked dramatically in 2022, with over 1 million cars stolen. Illinois saw a 35% increase in car thefts, with Chicago rising 55%.
“The impact of car theft on Chicago residents can be deeply destabilizing, particularly for low- to middle-income workers who have fewer options for getting to work and taking care of their families,” Chicago’s far-left Mayor Brandon Johnson said in a press release.
“The failure of Kia and Hyundai to install basic auto-theft prevention technology in these models is sheer negligence, and as a result, a citywide and nationwide crime spree around automobile theft has been unfolding right before our eyes,” he added.
