Chicago sues Kia, Hyundai over ‘car theft crisis’

A complaint filed by the city of Chicago against Kia and Hyundai alleges the automakers failed to equip cars sold in the U.S. with anti-theft technology that other carmakers have made standard. More than 8,000 Kias and Hyundais were stolen in Chicago last year, the mayor’s office said. (Associated Press)

The city of Chicago sued Kia and Hyundai on Thursday, alleging the South Korean automakers have fueled a “car theft crisis” by failing to install standard technology they knew was effective at deterring thieves. 

The companies failed to use the anti-theft technology for years, leading to a spike in thefts that was driven by a viral trend showing just how easy it was to swipe their cars, according to the lawsuit filed in Cook County.