In response to the large number of Kia vehicles stolen in the Memphis area, Kia representatives are coming to town.
For the past two years, cars manufactured by Kia have been one of the top targets for car thieves across the country as models made between 2011 and 2021 were made without engine immobilizers.
Starting Friday, April 5 until Sunday, April 7 Kia representatives will reportedly be at Wolfchase Galleria providing free vehicle software updates. These updates will be given in an effort to keep thieves from easily hotwiring locked Kia cars.
Memphis Police said that these representatives will be at the galleria from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. For those whose cars' software can't be updated for some reason, Kia said they will give out free steering wheel locks.
MPD also hosted several steering wheel lock giveaways in 2023 and said the number of Kia and Hyundai vehicles stolen did reduce by the end of the year.
Around 14,800 cars were stolen in 2023. That’s a 51% surge compared to 2022.
At the time, MPD said the top four vehicle brands stolen in the city of Memphis were still Kia, Hyundai, Nissan and Infiniti.