After a rash of stolen cars, Hyundai and Kias new anti-theft software is showing results
Summary
"The companies solution is extremely effective," Matt Moore, senior vice president of HLDI, an industry group backed by auto insurers, said in a statement.The cars in question are certain older Hyundai and Kia models made before 2023 that are particularly vulnerable to theft. Immobilizers rely on a computer chip in the car and another in the key that communicate to confirm that the key is authentic and really belongs to that vehicle.Between early 2020 and the first half of 2023, thefts of Hyundai and Kia models rose more than 1,000%.As part of a $200 million settlement related to this issue, Hyundai and Kia — closely related car brands based in South Korea — began offering free anti-theft software upgrades for some of these older models in February 2023. So far, more than 2 million Hyundai and Kia vehicles have gotten the update, according to the automakers.Thefts remain highThe HLDI looked at insurance claim data for calendar year 2023. The automakers released the updates starting last February, after a tenfold increase in thefts of certain Hyundai and Kia models in just the past three years — sparked by a series of social media posts that showed people how to steal the vehicles. "The companies solution is extremely effective," Matt Moore, senior vice president of HLDI, an industry group backed by auto insurers, said in a statement.