Other software
In the United States, there has been a lot of controversy about the many thefts of Kias and Hyundais for some time now. Videos are circulating on TikTok of how you can hack and steal the cars relatively easily. In Europe, owners do not have to fear this.
In the United States, Kias and Hyundais are stolen more often after videos appeared on TikTok explaining how to hack and steal models made between 2015 and 2019. Hyundai and Kia models were stolen nearly twice as often in the U.S. last year compared to similar-year cars from other manufacturers. The cause of the problem was with the software. More than 8 million Kias and Hyundais in the US are being upgraded.
Dutch people who drive a Kia or Hyundai run no extra risk of their car being stolen, say spokespersons for the brands. This problem does not arise here because other software is used in Europe, according to a Kia spokesperson. According to the spokesman, Kias in the Netherlands have not been stolen more often since the explanation videos have been circulating on social media.
Figures from the LIV (National Intelligence and Expertise Center for Vehicle Crime) show that of the roughly 6,000 passenger cars stolen last year, 88 were Kia and 46 Hyundai. In 2021, more than 5,400 passenger cars were stolen, of which 80 Kias and 35 Hyundais. “Compared to, for example, Toyota, the number of stolen Kias and Hyundais is not too bad,” says André Bouwman, advisor at LIV. The risk that a Toyota was taken away unsolicited was 1 in 635. With a Kia, the chance was much smaller: 1 in 4,149. Owners of a Hyundai were even less at risk with 1 in 6,364.
– Thanks for information from Autoweek.nl