From The Drive · Byron Hurd · · 50s
Kia Boys Still Stealing Cars in 16 Years
UCLA study predicts Hyundai and Kia thefts will persist through 2050.
In brief
UCLA study predicts Hyundai and Kia thefts will persist through 2050. UCLA study forecasts Hyundai and Kia car thefts will remain elevated through 2042 before dropping to negligible levels by 2050. Originally reported by The Drive.
Kia Boys Theft Trend
Ucla study forecasts hyundai and kia thefts will remain elevated through 2042.
“In our study, we examine the growth in thefts of hyundai sonatas in los angeles, ca, in relation to the rise of the 'kia boys' social media phenomenon, and then use a comparative mathematical model to forecast the long-term temporal and spatial pattern of thefts through 2050”
Theft Mechanism
Thieves pop off ignition covers using flat-head screwdrivers or usb-a charging cables.
“Once they gained access to the car, thieves only needed to pop off the ignition cover and turn the cylinder with any object they could jam inside it, such as a flat-head screwdriver or the business end of a usb-a style charging cable”
Theft Impact
Hyundai elantra became the most stolen vehicle in 2023 after doubling thefts nationwide.
“The hyundai elantra went from the sixth-most-stolen vehicle in the country in 2022 to #1 in 2023, with thefts more than doubling nationwide according to the national insurance crime bureau”
Theft Decline
Theft rates dropped after immobilizers became standard but remain elevated through 2042.
“After hyundai made immobilizers standard equipment and began distributing security upgrade kits for older cars, thefts began to subside, but they haven’t gone away completely”
Geographic Impact
Higher-income areas forget the vulnerability as cars are traded in; lower-income areas absorb stolen cars longer.
“Higher-income areas of los angeles will have forgotten about the 'kia boys' vulnerability as older, at-risk cars are traded in for newer ones. Lower-income areas of the city will continue to absorb vulnerable cars as they change hands in the used market before moving toward eventual scrapping”
Long-Term Forecast
Theft rates drop to negligible levels between 2043 and 2050 as vulnerable vehicles become rare.
“Model-based forecasts suggest that thefts of the vulnerable hyundai and kia models in los angeles will remain elevated over baseline levels through at least 2042, dropping to negligible levels between 2043 and 2050 largely because vulnerable vehicles will have become rare due to scrapping”
What matters most
UCLA study forecasts Hyundai and Kia car thefts will remain elevated through 2042 before dropping to negligible levels by 2050.
