By Megan Sayles,
AFRO Business Writer,
msayles@afro.com
As Baltimore grapples with a 227 percent spike in auto thefts, Mayor Brandon M. Scott shared updates on the city’s ongoing lawsuit against Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) and Kia America (Kia) on Nov. 20. Central California District Judge James V. Selna sided with the city and denied the automakers’ motions to dismiss the case.
The city of Baltimore sued the auto manufacturers back in May, joining Chicago, New York, St. Louis and other cities in claiming that Hyundai and Kia failed to equip certain models with industry-standard anti-theft mechanisms, causing a nationwide breakout of auto thefts.
“We are not only vigorously pursuing this litigation to hold these car companies liable for creating this crisis with their cost-cutting measures, but continuing with our multi-pronged strategy to address auto thefts at all levels,” said Scott in a statement. “The data is clear, the rise in auto-thefts is largely driven by these companies and the impact on our residents is real. We need accountability at all levels, from those committing the crimes to those companies who so far refuse to accept their responsibility for the role their products play.”
Scott previously reported that more than 68 percent of the vehicles stolen in Baltimore are Kia and Hyundai models. The surge of auto thefts across the country was prompted by a viral TikTok challenge demonstrating how certain Kia and Hyundai vehicles can be stolen with a USB cord.
According to the statement, Selna noted that automobiles engage law enforcement and impact public safety more than most products.
“Whether it is through the theft of a car, the fleeing of suspects, or the collision with other vehicles, property, or persons, perhaps no other product impacts public safety or engages law enforcement and municipal governments to a greater extent than automobiles,” said Selna. “It is foreseeable, then, that the lengths a manufacturer will go—or not go—to design their cars with protections against theft will determine the burden others will bear to respond to such theft.”
Selna’s ruling ensures that Baltimore’s lawsuit will move forward.
“Our office, alongside our counterparts in cities across the country, will continue to pursue this case diligently. This ruling to deny the Motion to Dismiss is a very real signal about the strength of our case, and we will continue to utilize every tool we have to secure a win for the people of Baltimore,” said Acting City Solicitor Ebony Thompson.
Megan Sayles is a Report For America corps member.
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