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The product sold doesn't comply with the stated fit of purpose. A consumer has the reasonable expectation that an ignition switch will hamper the efforts of som

The product sold doesn't comply with the stated fit of purpose. A consumer has the reasonable expectation that an ignition switch will hamper the efforts of someone to steal their car. There are lots of consumer protection laws that can be applied here - up to fraud. I suspect Baltimore isn't as interested in the the money to be gained as they are in generating negative PR for KIA and thus forcing them to address the issue.

bombcar 4y ago
Wouldn't' that be the customers suing, or something? Baltimore didn't buy these cars, it might get dismissed from standing.
linksnapzz 4y ago
That's not criminal, that's a tort. Baltimore, not being the customer, probably lacks standing.
- plagiarist 4y ago
  And Baltimore is asserting they have standing regarding financial damages incurred from policing the thefts. If only there was some way to resolve whether the defendant or plaintiff is the correct party!
  - linksnapzz 4y ago
    Hyundai should countersue the city, for having such a reprobrate populace that necessitates that manufacturers of durable goods implement increasingly elaborate and expensive antitheft schemes. "Maintaining a Nuisance", I think the term is. Or perhaps they should have owners sign a release, promising not to operate or store the vehicle in any zip code that insurance companies deem high risk.
    - plagiarist 4y ago
      I kinda agree! Forcing the customer to sign a car theft waiver that other car companies do not would solve the problem somewhat. It informs them so that they can use their money on a different vehicle.
  - xkcd-sucks 4y ago
    But it's established through case law that police aren't obligated to do anything about theft. So the costs of policing thefts would seem to be voluntary, not damages. Interesting to see how it turns out.
    - ApolloFortyNine 4y ago
      You have a good point here, would the judge rule that only the time taken to help file a report can be sued for? Any more than that and it sounds like you could theoretically sue the police for not finding your car.
- emodendroket 4y ago
  Yeah presumably that's why they're suing and not charging them with a crime. Think about that one for a second.

bombcar 4y ago

Wouldn't' that be the customers suing, or something? Baltimore didn't buy these cars, it might get dismissed from standing.

linksnapzz 4y ago

That's not criminal, that's a tort. Baltimore, not being the customer, probably lacks standing.

plagiarist 4y ago
And Baltimore is asserting they have standing regarding financial damages incurred from policing the thefts. If only there was some way to resolve whether the defendant or plaintiff is the correct party!
- linksnapzz 4y ago
  Hyundai should countersue the city, for having such a reprobrate populace that necessitates that manufacturers of durable goods implement increasingly elaborate and expensive antitheft schemes. "Maintaining a Nuisance", I think the term is. Or perhaps they should have owners sign a release, promising not to operate or store the vehicle in any zip code that insurance companies deem high risk.
  - plagiarist 4y ago
    I kinda agree! Forcing the customer to sign a car theft waiver that other car companies do not would solve the problem somewhat. It informs them so that they can use their money on a different vehicle.
- xkcd-sucks 4y ago
  But it's established through case law that police aren't obligated to do anything about theft. So the costs of policing thefts would seem to be voluntary, not damages. Interesting to see how it turns out.
  - ApolloFortyNine 4y ago
    You have a good point here, would the judge rule that only the time taken to help file a report can be sued for? Any more than that and it sounds like you could theoretically sue the police for not finding your car.
emodendroket 4y ago
Yeah presumably that's why they're suing and not charging them with a crime. Think about that one for a second.