Kia unveils new anti-theft device on older models

MANILA: Kia has introduced a new theft deterrent hardware  for US-spec models not eligible for the security software upgrade launched last year.

The anti-theft ignition cylinder protector is now available for the 2011-2016 Sportage and Forte, 2010-2022 Soul, 2011-2021 Rio, and 2014 Sedona.

As explained by the Korean carmaker, the new hardware modification works by “reinforcing the ignition cylinder body and preventing its removal through the method of theft promoted in videos that have spread across social media.”

The ignition cylinder protector is part of Kia's initiatives to improve its security measures on its vehicles after videos showing methods on how to steal certain models went viral on social media.

In January 2023, the carmaker released an anti-theft software upgrade on select models and since then, it has been installed on almost 940,000 vehicles.

“Vehicle security is a top priority for Kia and we continue to take action to support our customers by helping to protect their vehicles from thefts, which have been encouraged by content spread across social media,” Kia America Vice President for Service Operations Greg Silvestri stated.

“Reinforcing the ignition cylinder body is the latest step to help guard against these methods of theft and we strongly encourage owners of vehicles that don’t have engine immobilizer and are not able to receive our security software upgrade to have this free security measure installed,” he added.

Photos from Kia

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