Chicago mayor mocked for suing automakers for car thefts: 'Criminals run rampant' but it's a 'Kia problem'
REAL NEWS, NOT SATIRE. If this story were satire it would be writing itself. The real news is putting comedians out of business.
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson is facing backlash after filing suit against Kia and Hyundai over claims they manufactured cars that lacked appropriate anti-theft measures, ultimately leading to a surge in car crimes.
Democratic Alderman Raymond Lopez mocked Johnson over the lawsuit on "Fox & Friends," calling the move a "play from a socialist playbook" as crime continues to ravage streets in the Windy City.
"Clearly, we don't have a crime problem. We have a Kia problem in the city of Chicago, according to Mayor Johnson," Lopez told Steve Doocy on Monday. "The numbers speak for themselves. 104% increase from last year, a 234% increase in vehicle thefts from two years ago, but yet it's the car's fault."
"It's the fact that they are so easily taken by criminals who run rampant in the city of Chicago, but we have yet to hear our mayor say anything, one word, about the criminals running rampant in our streets," he continued. "And all he does in turn is lambast the media, lambast those who try to hold criminals accountable by playing word games."
Johnson's office announced the lawsuit last week alleging that both companies failed to include "industry-standard engine immobilizers" in several models of vehicles, which resulted in a "steep rise" in crime.
The lawsuit claims the automakers did not include "vital anti-theft technology" in their U.S. cars between 2011 and 2022, and it did so while misleading customers that the vehicles had "advanced safety features."
"The impact of car theft on Chicago residents can be deeply destabilizing, particularly for low- to middle-income workers who have fewer options for getting to work and taking care of their families," Johnson said. "The failure of Kia and Hyundai to install basic auto-theft prevention technology in these models is sheer negligence, and as a result, a citywide and nationwide crime spree around automobile theft has been unfolding right before our eyes."
The mayor claimed that after the safety feature "defect" was broadcasted throughout social media platforms, thefts began to surge.
But Lopez argued the surge in car thefts is attributable to the city's liberal policies that favor "criminals on the street" as opposed to vehicle manufacturing.
"Chicago's answer to the Kia problem was to hand out those steering wheel column locks, The Club, as a way of helping our citizens, not necessarily prosecuting those repeat offenders who know that they could steal a car, sell it, or use it in crimes," Lopez said. "I had a friend just last week whose car was stolen. It was used in 12 different robberies on the north side of Chicago."
"We know why they're stealing these cars. We know what they're doing with these cars, but the fact that we refuse to call out this behavior, and we're giving cover to the criminals, seems to just be another liberal ploy," he continued. "And to be perfectly honest, a page from the socialist playbook, because we're blaming the manufacturer of the cars rather than the criminals on the street."
There have been more than 19,000 car thefts in 2023 so far, which is an increase of 104% according to the Chicago Police Department.
In a statement to FOX Business, a spokesperson for Hyundai said that engine immobilizers are now standard on all vehicles made by the company as of Nov. 2021.
"Hyundai is committed to the comprehensive actions we are undertaking to assist customers and communities affected by the persistent theft of certain vehicles not equipped with push-button ignitions and engine immobilizers. Our dealers across the country are maximizing the number of anti-theft software installations that can be performed on a daily basis, contributing to steadily increasing completion rates, which we report to NHTSA weekly," the spokesperson said.
Lopez warned the Windy City will ultimately reach a "tipping point" from Johnson's leadership, and issued a grim warning should he continue in his predecessor's footsteps.
"At a certain point the nonsense is going to reach a tipping point," Lopez said. "We've seen actions like this out of Lori Lightfoot. We're starting to see it out of Mayor Johnson, and we saw how well that worked out for her."
FOX Business' Adam Sabes contributed to this report.
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Let's go, Brandon! Johnson that is. Is hizzonner the mayor planning a run for President?
I swear, every time I think I have heard the stupidest thing ever involving a liberal or a liberal policy, along comes something even more astounding.
These folks are loony-tunes!
It is the progressive playbook. Convince the sheep that everything is everyone else's fault, not yours. No such thing as personal accountability.
Lets say your Kia is stolen. Is it your fault that people on social media spread the word that your model of car is easier to steal than others? Or that Kia does not provide the anti-theft technology that other car makers do?
Of course the actual thief is most responsible, but it is silly to say there is not other blame to go around.
The blame is squarely on the person stealing the car, there is no other blame.
Exactly!!!!! Hyundai/Kia should counter............
I have no issue with the car makers giving away "the club" if that is what they want to do. Cars are recalled all the time for a variety of reasons. The lawsuit is nothing more than a diversion tactic that will be temporary. If they really think the car thefts are magically going to drop by a significant amount they are overdosing on the cool aid they are trying to get others to drink. We should take bets on what automaker they are going to blame next. Or maybe they will start blaming the homeowners if their house gets broken into because the door lock is not sufficient enough to stop thieves. Maybe they will sue the landlords for not having bars on all the windows of all their apartments.
Wouldn't spreading that information be the fault of social media? If social media assists in criminal activity then social media is an accessory to the crime. It seems Brandon should sue social media platforms, too. But, instead, Brandon is suing the victims and not the criminals. How very woke.
People should be able to park any vehicle on the street and not have it stolen.
Bingo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Where the hell are the content editors/censors?
You should be able to park on the street with your car unlocked with the keys in it. God forbid you blame the POS criminals, it’s like guns, fucking retards blame the tool instead of the criminal.
Well, blaming the POS criminals would only cause riots and burning cars on the street.
Apparently in Kamala-lala-lala land people are only allowed to have shit cars that nobody wants.
There is blame on the people who refuse to enforce the laws that would keep repeat offenders off the streets.
So... Kia and Hyundai cars can be easily stolen using just a USB cable and it's the Mayor of Chicago's fault? They've known about this for years now and only finally addressed it just last year. Is there no level of responsibility for car manufacturers?
It's possible to steal a bicycle by hopping on and peddling away. Chicago experienced a spike in bicycle thefts when they became more popular during the pandemic. Easy to steal doesn't excuse the theft. Government officials, like Brandon, making excuses for criminals and blaming victims is why more people get shot.
People should be able to park a doorless car with the engine running and not have it stolen.
The thief first has to break into the car. No doubt that both manufactures should have installed better software but I doubt that these cars our out of spec with any US or state requirements.
There are a lot of cars stolen in this country that are Kia's or Hyundai's. Last year over 1 million cars were stolen.
In my area. it's more car parts than cars that are stolen; wheels, batteries, catalytic converters, air bags, etc..
So... How is this the fault of the Mayor of Chicago? Bakersfield CA has the most car thefts by capita. Their mayor, Karen Goh, is a conservative Christian Republican who has expanded the police force there. Is it her fault that people steal more cars there than Chicago?
Who the fuck said it was Brandon's fault? Seems like everyone except liberals know the blame falls on the criminals stealing cars.
Brandon Johnson is accused of being so clueless that he does not understand crime. Brandon doesn't understand that the problem is thieves stealing cars. Brandon is blaming the problem on auto workers in Korea.
The most stolen cars last year in Chicago were:
Toyota Camry
Jeep Cherokee
Dodge Charger
Chevrolet Malibu
Nissan Altima
In the Albany Park area, security cameras captured a heist in progress in December 2022, when thieves broke into a repair shop full of high-end vehicles.
"They just overpowered the locks by having like six or seven guys jimmy the door," said Eddie Zipperstein, owner of Richard's Body Shop. "They went across the street and started running, picking out cars from a lot and drove through the fence."
Last year, the clearance rate for solving motor vehicle thefts in Chicago was 4%.
The CPD says the department de-emphasizes solving these types of crimes to devote more resources to more serious crimes.
The entire article says it was his fault. It's about how the mayor shouldn't be able to file a lawsuit on behalf of his constituents. Nobody wants people to steal cars but Kia has known about this problem for several years but was too cheap or just didn't care enough to fix it.
I suppose people getting their own alarms installed was too big of a burden for consumers?
This is the same kind of ignorant thinking that blames a woman getting raped on how she is dressed.
As long as they don't install a pistol brace or binary trigger on their car it's all good.....
Relief on the way for Minnesotans with stolen Kia, Hyundais: Here's who is eligible to get money back
By the Mayor's logic Chicago should be sued for being an unsafe city and letting criminals run run wild
Actually, it's a nationwide KIA Hyundai problem and is being addressed by KIA/Hyundai and the insurance companies some of which stopped issuing new policies on certain KIA/Hyundai models because the manufacturer didn't put in a simple device that would stop the thieves. KIA issused a recall after the insurance companies threw down the stipulation and I had to bring my KIA Sorento in and it took an hour to fix the problem.
The thefts of Kia/Hyundai skyrocketed nationwide because of the problem.
Law enforcement handed out free anti theft devices to owners that showed up a few months back in the Charlotte/Mecklenburg county area.
Goes to prove that Kia/Hyundai had a problem with theft.
No, it goes to show that thieves have a problem with theft. These thefts are happening in mostly blue cities. Do we blame the cities for the thefts? No, we blame the thieves.
Seems that thieves don't have a problem with theft since they are the ones stealing Kia and Hyundai. Kia and Hyundai are the ones with the problem verified by the two auto companies, police departments and insurance companies across the nation.
That would make sense since dems are mayors of 64 of the top 100 largest cities in the US. Republicans are mayors of 24, 4 are Independent and 6 are nonaffilated.
Perhaps if the Republicans won more mayoral elections they could stop this auto theft of mostly Kia and Hyundai.
It would be fine if it were only KIA/Hyundai that are being stolen- it is not.
.
Only 41% if of the vehicles stolen in Chicago last year. Which means 59% or the majority of the vehicles being stolen were not KIA/Hyundai.
Chicago has a criminal problem; and liberal politicians that coddle them.
But sue the auto makers- that will lower the price of vehicles for consumers. Whatever they do don't punish the criminals stealing the cars.
My Kia Seltos is less than a year old and doesn't have the issue, but my wife's Soul is older and Kia just sent her a letter last week offering her a free steering wheel lock. We aren't seeing the same level of theft up here in the sticks, but obviously it's more than just Chicago suing Kia and Hyundia - St Louis, Cleveland, San Diego, Milwaukee, Columbus, Baltimore and Seattle are also have pending legal action for the same issue.
All blue cities
Seems to be a trend.
Here in the nation’s Capital many more high cars are hijacked or stolen. Cadillac Escalade, Lincoln Navigator, Dodge Intrepid are the cars of choice by the 12 - 17 year old thieves.
Here in north Florida, it tends to be more bicycles.
Apparently, thieves here don't drive and they are not the smartest of breeds.
Half of the cars reported stolen in Jacksonville last week were made by Hyundai and Kia
Were stolen by 100% criminals!
Thanks for your insight.
Inspirational, was it not?
I didn't say they were.
Two manufacturers accounted for 41% of all auto thefts in Chicago and you don't think that those two models have a problem LMAO, that's fricking ridiculous.
Actually, your complete comment has nothing to do with my comment, I don't know why you waste your time except to rant.
Carry on.
You don't think Chicago has a criminal problem?
Typical.
The only typical problem is your inability to respond to what I wrote. You would be well advised to try to “cure” that problem since you really look foolish inventing an imaginary conversation.
cheers
BTW:
Grand Rapids leaders give out steering wheel locks as local car thefts rise
Just out of curiosity, do these cars steal themselves or does it take a felon to steal them?
Use your curiosity to read the comments and the problems with Kia/Hyundai which they have turned a blind eye to it until they started getting sued.
No, it doesn't take a felon to steal them, as can be seen in the arrests being made, it's a tik tok challenge.
It's a trend and it's mostly teenage kids some as young as 10 years old that are involved in this stupid crap. It hurting a lot of car owners and insurance companies. I doubt if these kids are felons or hardened criminals but they may learn some real hard lessons when they get caught.
So criminality is a trend?
Well then it must be some teen thing, like the "knockout game", they surely aren't being exploited or anything.....
A lot of people are missing something here
As the saying goes, two things can be true at once. Individual criminals are responsible for their crimes, and social media news about the cars anti-theft defects are partly responsible for the thefts.
If social media urged people to throw eggs at Trump and it was done, we all know conservatives would be saying what the hell is wrong with social media. It is a factor and the flaws in the cars are the impetus.
Try again.
Soft on criminal Democrats and Soros funded DA's that refuse to prosecute crimes are the cause.
Care to comment on the 59% of those vehicles that were stolen in Chicago last year that weren't KIA/Hyundai? I suppose those auto makers are to blame for Chicago criminals as well.
Does that mean Brandon is planning to sue bicycle manufacturers next? Chicago experienced a spike bicycle thefts, too. But, then, Chicago has experienced a spike in just about every crime. Chicago experienced $17 million lost to catalytic converter theft. Looks like another another opportunity to litigate.
Brandon is in it for the money. But Brandon doesn't tell us what the money will be used for. Which makes him a viable challenger against the other white Brandon. Let's see how the race to stupid turns out.
What an ass backwards policy. Just an embarrassing statement by the mayor about the people of Chicago. T
Perhaps Milwaukee should give the money back to Kia/Hyundai. /s
Milwaukee Kia, Hyundai thefts class action lawsuit settled
Try again.
Don't have to try again, $200 million settlement....Keep swinging Casey another strikeout.
The class action settlement does not affect other individual suits from cities like Milwaukee and a number of auto insurers.
How much went to Milwaukee?
The settlement cover roughly 9 million Kia/Hyundai owners that suffered losses. Wisconsin and in particular Milwaukee had a very large number of thefts of those autos. So the amount will be determined by the number of claims filed by Milwaukee oweners.
Now on to the next move, Milwaukee is suing Kia/Hyundai in a separate lawsuit along with other cities and a number of insurance companies.
So Milwaukee received nothing.
Another fake fact from you.
The owners of the cars that were stolen would receive the money which is how class action suits work. Less, of course the lawyers cut.
Keep swinging Sean.
you originally claimed Milwaukee had money to give back. It obviously doesn't.
Sad you keep doubling down on facts you know are false.
LMAO, you can't mount a defense so you try to play word games, typical of members proven to be wrong.
Nope, did not claim that at all: See the /s tag?
Perhaps you should take your expertise in consumer law and advise the mayor of Chicago or even better, the mayor of Milwaukee, ''DON'T SUE YOU COULD WIN MILLIONS FOR YOUR CONSTITUENTS''....
Your inability to blame the criminals for their acts is just plain sad.
oh, the irony...
Hahaha... Right? Do they not even see it?
Your inability to understand the problem is even more sad and the irony of your comment probably escapes you, but not the rest of us. LMAO
If hyundia and kia can be sued for the acts of thugs, soft on crime prosecutors should be sued for the crimes of thugs after being let off the hook early.
Then S&W, Colt, Glock, etc. can be sued for not putting fingerprint readers etc. on their products....
That idea has been suggested by some dems. It seems to be a trend with them, it’s never the thugs fault.
Car Insurance Woes Continue for Kia and Hyundai Owners Despite $200 Million Settlement
Insurance Companies Sue Hyundai, Kia Over Rash Of Vehicle Thefts
Over 65 insurers are demanding reimbursement from the carmakers.
Crazy how there are so many Kias and Hyundai's around here and they don't get stolen.
Are you sure?
The scent of money in the air is very hard to resist.
True, but then again, this is the company's fault.
Yes, they certainly should have acted quicker. I doubt that they were out of compliance with any federal or state requirement. But yes, industry should turn faster than our government. Of course the other option is consumers can vote with our feet. I say that as a Hyundai driver and a father that bought a Kia for his daughter.
I have a Kia Soul, too and I have to say, that I love the car, but I am unhappy with the response to this. But after the fact of purchase, it's kind of hard to vote with our wallets until we need to replace them.
LoL, I was going to get a Soul but my wife and daughter vetoed it as an old man car.
I agree about voting, but I think that this publicity is hurting their US sales. I see it as similar to the early Japanese cars here which had issues but turned out to be good investments compared to Detroit trash.
Not nearly as crazy as the stats in Milwaukee, but you probably don't live in Milwaukee so you have no idea of the magnitude of the problem.