Case Status
Keller Rohrback is pleased to share news that Judge Selna in the Central District of California has denied the majority of Defendants’ Motion to dismiss and permitted each governmental entity to proceed in its litigation to recover funds to address the wave of thefts unleashed on its community because these vehicles are so easy to steal.
The Order, which can be viewed here, means the In Re: Kia Hyundai Vehicle Theft Litigation Government Entities, who face a continuing and unprecedent wave of stolen automobiles caused by recent-model Hyundais and Kia, to move forward with the litigation.
According to Gretchen Freeman Cappio, Chair of the Governmental Entities Committee, “The Government Entities look forward to the next stage of this litigation, and ultimately to holding Hyundai and Kia responsible for the dramatic uptick in crime unleashed in their communities.”
Case Overview
Keller Rohrback L.L.P. represents multiple governmental entities, including the cities of Seattle, Cleveland, Cincinnati, San Diego, Milwaukee, Madison, Buffalo, Rochester, New York City, Indianapolis, Yonkers, Parma, Green Bay, Tonawanda, Louisville / Jefferson County Metro Government, Anne Arundel County, Maryland, City of Fort Wayne, Town of Amherst, New York, Syracuse, Lorain, City of Tacoma, Durham, Lexington, and Nashville that are experiencing a crime wave of stolen vehicles. The vehicles are easy to steal because of Defendants’ Hyundai Motor America’s (“Hyundai”) and Kia America, Inc.’s (“Kia”) deviation from industry norms and failure to install engine immobilizers in the majority of their vehicles manufactured for sale in the United States between 2011 and 2021. Gretchen Freeman Cappio, a Keller Rohrback partner, has been appointed by the Court to both the Executive Committee for the Multi-District Litigation (MDL) as well as Co-Chair of the Governmental Entities Committee. Additionally, Keller Rohrback partner Ryan McDevitt was named to both the Discovery Committee and Expert Committee for the MDL before Judge James V. Selna of the United States District Court for the Central District of California.
Defendants’ decision to forego standard safety features to prevent the easy theft of their cars put profits over safety in communities nationwide. Word spread of these vehicles’ susceptibility to theft via social media, and a surge of automobile thefts swept across the nation, driven primarily by teens and tweens stealing Kias and Hyundais. This nuisance, made possible by Hyundai and Kia’s failure to prevent easy theft, endangers the health and safety of the public, as stolen vehicles are often driven recklessly and used in the commission of other violent crimes. Already, there have been tragic reports of fatal accidents involving stolen Hyundais and Kias operated by minors.
As alleged in complaints filed by various governmental entities including Seattle, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Columbus, San Diego, Milwaukee, Madison, Buffalo, Rochester, New York City, Indianapolis, Yonkers, Parma, Green Bay, Tonawanda, Louisville / Jefferson County Metro Government, Anne Arundel County, Maryland, City of Fort Wayne, Town of Amherst, New York, Syracuse, Lorain, City of Tacoma, Durham, Lexington, and Nashville. Defendants could have prevented this nuisance by including as standard engine immobilizers, parts that are inexpensive and significantly effective in reducing the rate of vehicle theft.
If you are a municipal or county attorney or councilmember concerned with the impact that the rise in Hyundai and Kia thefts is having on your community, please contact Keller Rohrback at 800-776-6044 or [email protected] to discuss your concerns and potential legal claims.
In the News
NYC Latest City to Sue Hyundai, Kia Over Car Theft 'Epidemic', Law360, (June 6, 2023)
City of Buffalo files a lawsuit against Kia and Hyundai, WGRZ (March 30, 2023)
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