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A lone car agency has invented a new Bluetooth anti-theft device amid plague of stolen Hyundais and Kias in its area

By Sarah Duran |

A ST. Louis car agency has invented a Bluetooth anti-theft device to protect motorists from an illegal online trend.

This trend, known as the Kia challenge, shows how you can steal specific Kia and Hyundai models with a USB cable.

Suntrup Automotive Group created this Bluetooth device that stops would-be-thieves from completing the internet’s infamous Kia Challenge

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Suntrup Automotive Group created this Bluetooth device that stops would-be-thieves from completing the internet’s infamous Kia ChallengeCredit: VIS Devices

These Kia and Hyundai models don’t contain engine immobilizers since they’re older and lower-trim models.

Engine immobilizers prevent a motor from being switched on unless the vehicle’s correct key is recognized.

Criminals steal these cars by popping off the plastic covers behind their steering wheels.

Removing this plastic cover gives someone easy access to the vehicle’s ignition cylinder, which can be switched on with a USB cord.

READ MORE ON KIA CHALLENGE

Suntrup Automotive Group in St. Louis, Missouri, created an off-the-shelf Bluetooth switch that can be hardwired to a car and immobilize its ignition, Fox reports.

A driver must use a remote keychain fob to authorize the Bluetooth switch while turning their steel key.

Elliott Silk, service director at the Suntrup Automotive Group, said its device would take too long for a casual thief to disable.

Suntrup owns both Kia and Hyundai dealers and sold 150 examples of its $99 immobilizer in its first 30 days.

Most read in Motors

The auto group charges an extra $100 to install the Bluetooth device.

You can also purchase a window sticker telling potential thieves that their car contains a security system.

Hyundai’s solution for its 2015 to 2019 vehicles’ vulnerabilities is a kit with a higher base price of $170.

If a Hyundai owner purchases this $170 kit — they’ll have to pay up to $500 to have the unit installed by a dealer.

Hyundai created its new kit in collaboration with auto safety company, Compustar.

Hyundai’s engine immobilizer for vehicles affected by the Kia challenge is $80 more than Suntrup Automotive Group’s alternative product

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Hyundai’s engine immobilizer for vehicles affected by the Kia challenge is $80 more than Suntrup Automotive Group’s alternative productCredit: VIS Devices

The installable system contains a kill switch and an alarm system.

Hyundai is also working on a software update to enhance its affected vehicles affected by the Kia challenge, according to The Drive.

Like all dangerous TikTok challenges, users are asked to report videos to help get them removed.

The steps to reporting the videos include:

Read More on The US Sun

  1. Click the white arrow on the side of the video you wish to report
  2. Click 'Report'
  3. Select 'illegal activities' for the reason

TikTok users can also report a person's profile by clicking on the three dots in the top right corner.