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Hyundai Motor Group’s Meta Plant America (HMGMA) facility. (Photo courtesy of Hyundai Motor Group) |
[Alpha Biz= Paul Lee] Hyundai Motor and Kia have secured a partial victory in ongoing vehicle theft lawsuits filed by U.S. municipalities. On June 30 (local time), the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California issued a permanent dismissal of public nuisance claims brought by five Ohio cities, preventing similar claims based on the same facts from being filed again.
The dismissed claims were part of a broader wave of litigation stemming from the so-called “Kia Boyz” phenomenon, in which theft methods targeting certain Hyundai and Kia models spread rapidly on social media beginning in 2021. The resulting surge in vehicle thefts led municipalities to sue the automakers, citing increased public costs and strain on law enforcement.
The cities involved in this case included Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Lorain, and Parma. Plaintiffs argued that Hyundai and Kia had failed to implement adequate theft prevention measures, thereby contributing to rising crime rates and public expenditures in their communities.
While the ruling marks a meaningful win for the automakers, legal experts emphasize it represents only a “first round” in a much broader legal battle, with numerous claims still pending across various jurisdictions. Hyundai and Kia have relied on strategic settlements and selective dismissals to manage the growing wave of litigation in the U.S. related to vehicle theft vulnerabilities.
Alphabiz Reporter Paul Lee(hoondork1977@alphabiz.co.kr)
