Nope - US manufacturers are NOT pulling the same shit. Kia/Hyundai are the only brand in the US without immobilizers because they thought they could skimp there instead of a posher interior or more electro-gadgets. Only in the US because the law at that time didn’t require it, but other brands who also sell worldwide (where it is absolutely required) didn’t consider this an option. Kia/Hyundai clearly did. It was a stupid, stupid call and it should impact their reputation. If they skimp on something as elemental as security, where else have they skimped…?
Nope - US manufacturers are NOT pulling the same shit. Kia/Hyundai are the only brand in the US without immobilizers because they thought they could skimp there instead of a posher interior or more electro-gadgets. Only in the US because the law at that time didn’t require it, but other brands who also sell worldwide (where it is absolutely required) didn’t consider this an option. Kia/Hyundai clearly did. It was a stupid, stupid call and it should impact their reputation. If they skimp on something as elemental as security, where else have they skimped…?