These Hyundai and Kia vehicles are twice as likely to be stolen as other cars

• "The feature is standard equipment on nearly all vehicles of that vintage made by other manufacturers," IIHS said in the report.

Context: The study confirms a recent report by Axios' Annalise Frank that Hyundai and Kia vehicles have been the targets of theft nationwide, fueled by online videos showing how easy they are to steal.

• Hyundai and Kia — sibling brands that share many of the same parts and design — are part of the same Korean automotive manufacturer.

By the numbers: Immobilizers are not new equipment. They had already become standard on 62% of new models from other manufacturers by 2000, according to IIHS.

• By 2015, only 26% of Hyundai and Kia vehicles had them, while 96% of other vehicles did, IIHS reported.

What they're saying: Hyundai said in a statement that it "is concerned" about the increase in thefts and acknowledged that criminals are taking aim at Hyundai vehicles without immobilizers "in a coordinated effort on social media." 

• "Immobilizers became standard on all vehicles produced after November 1, 2021," Hyundai said, adding that the company is helping to provide steering wheel locks to owners of vehicles without immobilizers and and plans to offer security kits.
• Kia said in a statement that it "remains concerned about the increase in auto thefts of a subset of Kia vehicles."