Automotive News

Insurers sue Hyundai and Kia over costs of easily hot-wired vehicles

The widespread theft of vulnerable older Hyundai and Kia models not equipped with a crucial anti-theft device could end up costing the US insurance industry up to $600 million. Liberty Mutual, Nationwide, American Family and 65 other auto insurers, which comprise only a fraction of the country’s insurance companies, estimate that just their portion of the payout to owners who have been affected by the social media-driven crime wave could top $300 million . The insurers, who filed a lawsuit in US District Court in Orange County, Calif., in March, say they have already paid out $190 million. They are…

Automotive News

Facebook Is Trying to Make Dealers Pay for Car Listings

Photo: Lorenzo Di Cola/NurPhoto (Getty Images)Facebook Marketplace, over the past few years, has taken the vehicle-classifieds crown from Craigslist. It did so almost by accident; Facebook spun up Marketplace just as Craigslist instituted a fee for selling cars on its platform. Now, it seems new rules from Meta aim to get in on that cash — but only for dealers. In case you missed it: Early this year, according to Automotive News, Meta changed the rules around Facebook Marketplace listings. Now, Facebook business pages can no longer post Marketplace ads for vehicles. Instead, they’ll have to purchase ad space…

Automotive News

The Kia EV9 large electric crossover will be made in Georgia

Kia’s three-row EV9 crossover promises to bring a similar mix of utility and style to the North American electric vehicle market, the automaker said. The EV9, presented Wednesday at the New York auto show, is the flagship model for Kia’s global transition to EV technology, according to the brand, and follows the 2022 North American launch of the two-row EV6 crossover. “The EV9 is a credible, high-value SUV that encapsulates our approach to bringing innovative, consumer-focused products to market with a serious commitment to electrification,” Sean Yoon, CEO of Kia North America, said in a press release. Kia said the…