Hide your Kias, hide your Hyundais

This past February, Hyundai and Kia released a software update aimed at fixing a security flaw that's allowed people across the country (who learned about the flaw on TikTok) to steal the two brands’ vehicles.

But despite the new update being announced, thieves across the US have still made off with Hyundais and Kias from model years 2011 through 2022 at a record-setting pace, per a new AP report based on data from eight major metro areas.

A few highlights:

• Minneapolis police have received 1,899 Hyundai and Kia theft reports so far this year, nearly 18x higher compared to the same period last year.
• NYC authorities reported 966 such thefts as of April 30, representing a nearly 7x annual increase.
• In Atlanta, thefts involving Hyundais and Kias have increased by 830% year-over-year, with such incidents now comprising 60% of all local auto thefts.

📸 Big picture: If we were being interviewed on local TV rn, our advice would be “hi plz we r begging you – download the update!!” As of this week, just 5% of the 8.3 million total US vehicles with the security flaw had been patched. Both companies are currently running campaigns to reach affected customers via direct mail, phone calls, digital advertising, and social media.