Auto News Today: Kia’s Big Security Flaw, Ford’s Profit Woes & the Rising Cost of a Teen’s First Car

Hello! Today, we want to shout out every company and individual going out of their way to help those affected, which include some of our sponsors!

On another note, I got an overwhelming amount of responses (2 emails). It turns out, none of you see yourself driving a Chinese car. Interesting.

Key Takeaways

Don’t have much time? Here’s the summary of what we’re talking about:

• Kia Security Issues: Kias and Hyundais faced major vulnerabilities that made them easy targets for thieves, with a flaw that hackers could exploit easily.

• Driverless Car Regulations: As driverless technology advances, states are beginning to set legal frameworks to manage this shift, even though the technology is still in its early stages.

• Ford's Profit Drop: Ford recently reported a profit decline due to a global price war and ongoing domestic challenges, with no signs of immediate improvement in the automotive market.

• Buying a Teen’s First Car: Prices for used vehicles remain high, making it financially challenging for parents looking to purchase their teen’s first car.

• CarMax vs. Dealerships: With changing financial models, many wonder if platforms like CarMax are better alternatives to traditional dealerships; our article explores the pros and cons.
  

NEWSBITES

Every week, we scour the web for the most essential news. Here’s what you need to know this week:

• These cars fetched crazy prices, and they're wrecked!

• Scout wants to copy Tesla's selling strategy, and it has some unhappy

• Are you in the market for a former SWAT van? You're in luck!

RECALL ALERT

These are some of the recalls happening right now. You can click the links to learn more:

• Stellantis recalls RAM trucks over faulty turn signals

• Mercedes recalls GLE SUVs over airbag fault

If you want to learn more about how recalls can affect large automakers, check out this issue. 

IN THE KNOW

How Kias became so vulnerable

Kias and Hyundais (sister companies) became hot items for car thieves, especially after the pandemic.

We were flooded with TikTok videos of criminals causing mayhem with these stolen cars in no time. 

Almost automatically, people started asking, "Why was this happening?" It turns out that these vehicles had a major flaw. 

To make matters worse, it was easy to hack. Here's what happened.

States are getting ready for driverless cars

Driverless cars might be far away, but they raise interesting questions. For one, how do we regulate them? 

A driverless car needs to fulfill the same standards as the other vehicles on the road—or does it?

Perhaps rules and laws need to change to better accommodate this upcoming technology. 

That's what states are doing, and it won't be easy. Here's how some states are already setting the rules in order.

Ford declares a drop in profit due to this reason

Ford's shares dropped 5% after announcing that the ongoing global price war seriously affects domestic automakers.

A combination of factors makes car sales difficult, especially in the US and especially for US automakers. 

The problem is that there are no signs of these challenges easing up. So, Ford's road ahead is bumpy. 

Read more about the multiple factors coming into play for Ford and how it could affect the future of one of the world's most essential automakers.

OUR THOUGHTS

Are you looking for your teen's first car? Get ready to pay big bucks 

In this section, we bring you in-depth articles on important topics for you as car owners.

This week, let's discuss buying that first car for your teen. 

It used to be an easy decision, but now, you must prepare financially for this move. 

Read our article to learn more about the challenges of buying your teen's first car in today's economy.

BEST AND WORST

Is CarMax better than a dealership?

Recently, we wrote about the fascinating evolution that dealerships are enduring.

The reality is that the financial model could change, just as we mentioned above.

One of the changes already happening is the increase of platforms such as CarMax. 

This, in hand, has many people wondering: what is better, CarMax or a dealership? We answer the question in our article below.

TIPS AND KNOW-HOW

Why is my 4WD LOW light flashing?

I'll be the first to admit it: I'm always thinking, "Is my 4WD properly engaged?"

There's that fear that some mechanical catastrophe can happen, especially when you're going to put your 4x4 through rugged terrain. 

Then, it happens. Your 4WD LOW light starts flashing.

So, what does it mean?

Our article covers why this might happen and what you can do.