In an effort to curb the surge in car thefts that has plagued Hyundai vehicle owners, a collaborative initiative has been launched by the car manufacturer and the Memphis Police Department. This weekend-long software upgrade event is targeting a vulnerability that had been exposed by a viral TikTok trend. Taking place in the pink lot of Liberty Park on 2461 Tiger Lane South, the event will provide Hyundai owners of models from 2011 to 2021 with a key blade ignition system, the necessary software patch to mitigate this security risk.

According to an Action News 5 report, these free updates coincide with a police partnership event on June 13, 14, and 15 and will introduce a feature that, "mimics a mobilizer technology," as per Hyundai Motor America Vice President Dave VandeLinde. It's an effort responding to the concerning spike in vehicle thefts, specifically within Memphis, where MPD shared that almost 630 Hyundais were reported stolen from January 1 to June 2, 2024. Davis pointed out that, "Hyundais were the top vehicles stolen last year, actually the top two in two different models." However, she also relayed that auto thefts in Memphis have since decreased by about 35%.

The update process, which is expected to be completed in 20 to 30 minutes, does not require appointments for Hyundai owners who visit. Owners will receive a new feature that employs a key fob to lock and unlock their vehicles as well as to arm the new software. This move aligns with the reduction of nearly 32 percent in auto thefts compared to last year as reported by Chief CJ Davis in a WREG interview. VandeLinde also indicated that the update was specifically engineered to guard against the method of theft that was popularized on TikTok.

Moreover, Hyundai is addressing convenience and accessibility for its customers. As Local Memphis notes, VandeLinde said, "We know because of work obligations, because of children obligations, because of sports activities, some people just can't find the time to get into the dealer to make an appointment to have this done.” Hence, this event provides a more convenient solution without the need for appointments or IDs, allowing vehicle owners to gain protection against theft with minimal hassle. Additionally, all Hyundai owners will be eligible for complementary steering wheel locks at this event.

The initiative underscores the proactive steps taken by both Hyundai and the Memphis Police Department to alleviate the concerns faced by vehicle owners in light of past security issues. Compensation options are also available for those who may have parted with their Hyundai vehicles due to theft. This collaboration demonstrates a vigilant approach to customer safety and echoes the broader effort to deter criminal activity targeting vehicles in the region.