St. Louis files lawsuit against Hyundai and Kia for car thefts.

The City of St. Louis is suing Kia America and Hyundai Motor America over a surge in car thefts involving their vehicles. The lawsuit seeks damages in excess of $75,000, as well as punitive damages and attorneys’ fees. St. Louis police reported a shocking increase in thefts of Kia and Hyundai cars, with an average of 15 Kias and Hyundais being stolen per day between May 2022 and February 2023. City officials say Kia and Hyundai vehicles are way too easy to steal, and it’s no secret how to do it. The lawsuit alleges both manufacturers knew “sold millions of unsafe, easily stolen cars to unsuspecting consumers,” but only offered the immobilizer devices in their more expensive models.