Kia is once again offering drivers free installation of security software that'll make it difficult to steal their cars.
The experts say the reason Kia's are a major target for car thefts is because they are easy to steal. Something else that’s easy, is upgrading the security software under the hood and beneath the dashboard.
Easy for the technicians, anyway.
"What's that thing called over there, what does that stand for?"
A few strokes on the iPad and it’s done in less than half an hour. Angela Benser of Minneapolis says it’s worth the extra effort.
"I feel better," explains Benser. "I'm still going to park in my garage, but I'll feel better, as I call it parking in the wild. Meaning when I go to stores on Lake Street or whatever. Because it's just kids out there with an opportunity to take a car, and so when they see the sticker on the window, now the club on the steering wheel, they'll probably bypass, is what I'm hoping."
Drivers are taking notice. During the first hour of the weekend event at the Mall of America’s north parking lot, thirty Kia motorists drove up and got the security upgrade.
The upgrades are free and can be installed at the Mall until 6:00 p.m. Friday along with 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Saturday and 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Sunday.
They're expecting to complete about 300 upgrades during just this weekend.
Last year, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison joined several other states in launching an investigation into Kia and Hyundai over vehicles not having anti-theft technology. In Minneapolis the reported number of Kia and Hyundai vehicles stolen increased by 836% in 2023, while in St. Paul, that number jumped 611%, Ellison’s office shared.