Hyundai is teaming up with the El Paso Police Department and El Paso Auto Theft Task Force to host a two-day event offering free software upgrades aimed at combating a surge in car thefts affecting the automaker. Scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday, the event will run from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. respectively, at Camp Cohen on 9700 Gateway North Boulevard.
The initiative is a response to a notable increase in theft attempts targeting specific Hyundai vehicles lacking push-button ignitions and anti-theft immobilizing devices. Sgt. Robert Gomez from the El Paso Police Department revealed that approximately 400 theft attempts, successful and unsuccessful, have occurred in the area over the past year.
Hyundai’s VP, David VandeLinde, attributed the spike in thefts to a viral TikTok video in 2021, prompting the company to swiftly develop a software solution. Since its rollout in February 2023, over 1.2 million of the 3.7 million affected vehicles have received upgrades. However, recognizing accessibility challenges for some customers, Hyundai initiated large-scale national clinics, with El Paso being the latest location.
The event offers free installation of anti-theft software for various Hyundai models, including the Accent, Elantra, Santa Fe, Sonata, Tucson, and others, spanning model years from 2011 to 2022. Each upgrade is expected to take approximately 20 to 30 minutes, providing added security to vehicle owners in the region.