St. Louis Hyundai/Kia dealer invents security device for cars being stolen through TikTok challenge

St. Louis is one of the cities that have been hit hard by an auto theft wave that's seen tens of thousands of Hyundais and Kias across the country stolen and taken for joyrides.
Certain older low-end models from 2011-2021 without pushbutton ignitions were built without ignition immobilizers and can be started without a key by using a relatively simple method that's been spread through videos on TikTok and other social media.

Elliott Silk, service director at the Suntrup Automotive Group, which owns both a Hyundai and Kia dealership, told Fox News Digital that his service departments have repaired hundreds of recovered cars and that the problem doesn't seem to be getting better.


The Kias and Hyundais are being started by breaking open the steering column. (VIS Devices)
The automakers have so far addressed the problem by offering owners accessory security systems, like steering wheel locks and alarms, but have yet to come up with a built-in fix, so Silk's team developed its own.
They redesigned an off-the-shelf Bluetooth switch so that it could be hardwired to the car and immobilize the ignition. The driver just needs to authorize it via a remote keychain fob while turning the steel key to start the vehicle.

Full article here: St. Louis Hyundai/Kia dealer invents security device for cars being stolen through TikTok challenge