A coalition of elected leaders from around the country has recently been holding automakers Kia and Hyundai to account. Increase in vehicle theft. The group’s members recently reiterated their call to the federal government to: force a recall.
On Wednesday, Seattle City Councilwoman Tammy Morales (D) participated in a virtual press conference along with other members of the Congressional Coalition Against Auto Theft to urge automakers to issue recalls for 2011-2021 models. requested the bureau. KIRO-TV report.
Citing Seattle Police Department statistics, Morales said that from 2021 to 2022, reported thefts of Kia vehicles increased by 363%, and the number of stolen Hyundais increased by 503%.
“This resolution and this lawsuit are really about corporate responsibility, holding corporations accountable not just for theft but for the extravagant resources spent by cities across the country,” Morales said. “It’s mainly young people who steal cars, drive cars when they don’t know how to drive, endanger the car, and potentially use it for other crimes. It’s kind of complex.”
Kendra Brooks, first Philadelphia City Council member working families party member He was elected to the Philadelphia City Council and participated in the coalition government. WPVI-TV report.
“Car theft can be the difference between keeping your job and losing it. And car thefts are on the rise in Philadelphia, with Kia and Hyundai accounting for more than 60 percent of the problem. And working families should not be held responsible for the mistakes made by the manufacturers of these cars,” Brooks said Wednesday.
Baltimore City Councilman Zeke Cohen said the group represents “one of the cities hardest hit by Kia and Hyundai thefts.”
“These companies create a significant nuisance by not equipping their vehicles with industry-standard anti-theft technology. These thefts place a significant burden on local law enforcement. We can’t just leave it to city governments to clean up this mess. We need federal oversight to fix the problem.”These manufacturers have created a national nightmare,” Cohen said.
New York City Councilwoman Tiffany Caban (D) accused automakers of producing “substandard products” despite “misconduct”.[ing] Tens of billions of profits are earned every year. ”
In a joint statement, Minneapolis City Council President Elliot Payne and Councilman Jeremiah Ellison said the “drastic increase” in auto thefts is having “negative economic, health and public safety impacts.”
“Multi-trillion dollar companies like Kia and Hyundai must hold their products to the highest standards of due diligence, protection, and service. “If we do not hold them accountable, they are putting the lives and future livelihoods of our loved ones, neighbors and communities at risk,” the statement reads.
In April, California Attorney General Rob Bonta (Democratic) letter It asked NHTSA to issue a recall for the vehicle. He argued the cars pose an “unreasonable risk to public safety” and do not meet federal standards. Seventeen other state attorneys general from across the country also signed Bonta’s letter.
Several cities are currently suing the automaker, claiming it is “bankrupt.”[ed] “We aim to equip our vehicles with industry-standard vehicle securing technology,” Blaze News previously reported.
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