Kia and Hyundai will spend millions fixing old cars to stop ‘Kia Boyz’ thefts
Kia and Hyundai will offer free repairs for millions of cars that lack anti-theft technology as part of a settlement with dozens of US states. The automakers agreed to outfit the roughly nine million eligible cars sold between 2011 and 2022 with a zinc sleeve installed around the ignition cylinder to prevent the viral "Kia Boyz" thefts that required only a USB cable.
The repairs could cost up to $500 million, in addition to several million in restitution to Hyundai and Kia owners whose cars were damaged by thieves, the Associated Press reports. The automakers have also promised that all of their future cars will have an engine immobilizer, …