Spring Lake Police Report Sharp Rise In Kia And Hyundai Thefts

If you own either a Kia or Hyundai in or around the Spring Lake area, you may want to double check your car's security system. The Spring Lake Police Department recently issued a community release concerning a rise in thefts of those particular makes.

According to a news release by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the thefts are likely related to a TikTok trend which has gained traction over the last couple years. The challenge involves taking advantage of a security flaw in older Kia and Hyundai models so thieves can abscond with the cars in a matter of seconds.

Over last summer Fayetteville police managed to arrest ten people who were taking part in the challenge, according to ABC 11. And now adjacent areas like Spring Lake have seen a rise in similar thefts as of late.

Not only is the social media "challenge" illegal (and frankly, stupid), but it's also dangerous. NHTSA linked at least 14 crashes and eight fatalities as a result of the challenge.

In response to this rising string of car thefts, both Hyundai and Kia have resolved to implement new theft-deterrent systems in their cars. This includes the addition of a software that keeps the alarm running longer and requires a key to be in the ignition to start up.

These updates are ongoing and being provided free of charge to all eligible Hyundai and Kia owners. Spring Lake residents in particular are encouraged to contact the local dealerships to inquire about the new update.

Local Hyundai owners can contact Lee Hyundai at 1960 Skibo Road, Fayetteville NC. Kia drivers can reach out to Fayetteville Kia at 2012 Skibo Road, Fayetteville NC.

The Spring Lake police also encourage ALL car owners to practice smart car security practices. These include things like parking in open, well-lit areas and never leaving your car running unattended, no matter how briefly it may be.

For the first time in nearly two years, the new car average sale prices fell below the manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP). The average transaction price paid for a new vehicle in the United States declined in March 2023 to $48,008, according to Kelley Blue Book data. That’s a month-over-month decrease of 1.1%. This means that consumers paid less than the sticker price displayed on the window.

"Right now, in-market consumers are finding more inventory, more choice and dealers more willing to deal, at least with some brands," said Rebecca Rydzewski, auto-industry researcher at Kelley Blue Book's parent firm Cox Automotive.

According to their data, non-luxury buyers paid an average of $44,182. Chevrolet, Chrysler, Dodge, Ford, Hyundai, Kia, Nissan, and Volkswagen all saw their average price decline in March. Honda and Kia dealers still charged an average of 3% to 6% over sticker price. Their research also found that luxury buyers saw less of an improvement. They paid an average of $65,202.

New cars now average over $48,000 before taxes and fees. There are still new cars available for less than the average cost. As of May 2023, there are only three new vehicles that would cost $20,000 or less.

However, all three of these cars are small sedans with minimal cargo space and efficient gas mileage.

Take a look at the only 3 new cars under $20,000 or less.

The Kia Rio subcompact sedan starts at $17,875 and the Rio5 hatchback at $18,515. Both front-wheel-drive models come standard with a 120 hp four-cylinder engine, automatic transmission, air conditioning, and a highway fuel economy rating of 41 mpg.

The Mitsubishi Mirage hatchback starts at $17,340 and the Mirage G4 sedan is just $1,000 more. its three-cylinder engine rated at just 76 horsepower -- and the most-efficient non-hybrid vehicle, with the hatchback getting an EPA combined rating of 39 mpg.

The Nissan Versa sedan is priced at $16,925. It is roomy for the price and has a 122 hp four-cylinder under the hood, a standard 5-speed manual transmission, automatic emergency brakes, and a five-star NHTSA crash test rating. Models equipped with an automatic transmission start at $18,595 and have a 40 mpg highway fuel economy rating. A fully loaded version with adaptive cruise control, heated seats, and a wireless charging pad tops out at $20,215.