Since September of last year until today, there has been a trend on social media, where Hyundai and Kia vehicles are presumed stolen due to the vulnerability of their software.
For this reason, the authorities announced an initiative between the municipal government and Hyundai that seeks to reduce thefts of these vehicles.
“No one likes having their car stolen, you know, one uses one’s car to take the children to school, one uses it to go shopping, it is one thing that we and what one does not want is that one leave and your car is not there,” says Lieutenant Heriberto Llaurado.
This, through a free clinic that will be held this weekend in College Points, Queens.
Through it, owners of Hyundai vehicles from 2013 to 2022, which start with key, are eligible to receive a free anti-theft software update.
Hyundai representatives explain that the download lasts about twelve minutes and then they put a label on it that says that this vehicle already has an immobilized solution.
“They will also give free steering wheel locks to Hyundai vehicle owners who are not eligible for the software update…
…And also the police department is going to be giving airtags for people, in case they take your car then we can pick it up,” adds Llaurado.
Lieutenant Heriberto Llaurado of the NYPD
In addition, Hyundai vehicle owners who live in The Bronx, one of the counties most affected by the theft of these vehicles, will receive compensation for toll payments.
And even though the city has seen an overall decrease in serious crimes so far this year, NYPD data shows that through September vehicle thefts have increased approximately 19 percent compared to the same period last year , this represents about 2 thousand stolen vehicles.
“92 percent of those cars that have been stolen have been found, but the problem is that they steal your car and even if I find it, they have broken my window, they have broken my steering wheel and then it costs me money,” says the lieutenant of the NYPD.
To find out if your vehicle qualifies for this update you can go to the hyundai website antitheft.com.
There they will ask for the VIN number to determine if the change is necessary.
The event will take place from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. this Saturday and Sunday, October 28 and 29 at the Automotive Education and Training Center, located at 15-30 Petracca Place in College Point, Queens.
