COLUMBUS, Ohio — So far this year, Columbus police report more than 1,800 vehicles have been stolen across the city. Of those thefts, 759 have been either a Kia or Hyundai.
As the problem continues to be an issue, Kia is holding an event this weekend at Historic Crew Stadium with the hope of helping.
James Bell, Kia America’s head of corporate communications, said they’re holding these software upgrade events in areas most impacted across the country.
"This area here in Ohio was definitely one of the cities that came right to my mind,” Bell said.
Last year alone, nearly 10,000 Kias or Hyundais were reported stolen in the city of Columbus. Bell said he hopes to re-establish confidence and trust in their brand with this theft-deterrent software. It takes about 30 minutes to install.
"The technician attaches a little transponder device to the brains of your car if you will and then brings out an iPad, clicks download,” Bell said.
But Bell said this upgrade is not for all Kia owners, only for specific years.
"It's only for Kias from year 2011 through 2021. They use a steel key to turn and start the car,” Bell said.
This means this upgrade does not apply to cars with the push-to-start feature.
Once the car is locked and armed, Bell said the upgrade sounds the alarm system and immobilizes the ignition system for an extended period of time when a car is broken into.
"We have learned that anything that injects time into a theft process is what a thief doesn't like. So, having the alarm run and having the vehicle not initially start we think does a great job,” Bell said.
The event is being held from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday at Historic Crew Stadium. Bell added anyone who isn’t able to make the event for the upgrade should contact their local Kia dealership to have it installed.