JANESVILLE, Wis. — A KIA dealership in Janesville, Wis., is promoting a new anti-theft device that prevents KIAs from being stolen.
Brock Correa, Janesville Kia's service manager, said the dealership recently became the only one in Wisconsin to start carrying the device. It's a bluetooth device that hooks up to the vehicle’s starter.
“Now we can’t prevent cars from being broken into and getting your windows smashed and the steering lock broken, but this gives you the secure feeling that the car is going to still be there when you go to get back into your vehicle,” said Correa.
It was invented by someone at a different KIA dealership.
“I turn it. I try to start it and nothing happens. I hold the ‘on’ button, turn and then the car starts,” said Correa.
As stolen cars remain a hot topic across the state, the National Insurance Crime Bureau reported Milwaukee had the eighth highest motor vehicle theft rate in 2022, when looking at cities in the U.S.
Sergeant Efrain Cornejo, who works for the Milwaukee police department, said KIAs and Hyundais were stolen at much higher rates than other types of vehicles in the city.
He said car thefts are down by 29% compared to this time last year.
“We also have a lot of different initiatives where we gave steering wheel locks out for free, that KIA and Hyundai provided," said Cornejo. "Community members stepped up. Here at the police department, when we observed this, we also created an auto theft task force to kind of look into this further to see what we can do, as far as enforcement,”
Correa said that KIA customers are taking steps to protect their vehicles, too.
He said his dealership has sold about 20 anti-theft devices. He encouraged others to call their dealerships to get the device installed in their vehicle or ask questions at 608-743-9600.
“We’ve had a really good reception from the customer. I get customers calling me all the time saying, ‘Hey my insurance is going to drop me because I don’t have a theft device in my car.’ Well, now you do,” said Correa.
The device, plus installation, costs around $350. Correa said he believes it’s a worthwhile investment to give KIA owners peace of mind, as the cost of a stolen car can be so much greater.