ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison has launched a civil investigation into two automakers’ and their sale of vehicles that lack industry-standard, anti-theft technology.
Ellison said criminals and car thieves have learned about the lack of anti-theft technology in many of Kia and Hyundai’s vehicles, leading to a drastic increase of thefts. He said these stolen vehicles have then been used in the furtherance of violent crimes in Minnesota or involved in numerous traffic collisions, some of which have been fatal.
In Minneapolis alone in 2022, Kia and Hyundai vehicle thefts were tied to 5 homicides, 13 shootings, and 265 car accidents.
In an announcement Tuesday, Ellison said his office served civil investigative demands on Kia and Hyundai today, requiring them to produce documents and answer questions under oath. He said the purpose of the investigation is to gather information to determine whether the automakers have violated Minnesota’s consumer protection and public nuisance laws.
