Automakers Knew Keyless Entry Made Cars Easier To Steal

Good morning! It’s Monday, February 26, 2024, and this is The Morning Shift, your daily roundup of the top automotive headlines from around the world, in one place. Here are the important stories you need to know.

Contents

1st Gear: Experts Warned Of Keyless Entry Flaws

You might think that keyless entry on your swanky new car is the greatest invention ever, making it super easy to hop in your car and head out onto the road. But did you know, it’s actually been linked to increased rates of car thefts in recent year? And, to make matters worse, it sounds like automakers were warned that this could happen.

Experts reportedly warned auto industry execs about the risks of smart keys more than a decade ago, according to a new report from the Guardian. The British outlet reports that the car industry “ignored warnings” that have now led to a “surge” in car thefts. According to the Guardian:

A report by researchers in 2011 by researchers at the University of California and the University of Washington warned it was possible to implement an attack on the software of modern cars, directing “the car’s compromised telematics unit to unlock the doors [and] start the engine.”

An article by Stephen Mason, a barrister specialising [sic] in electronic evidence and communication interception, in Computer Law and Security Review in April 2012 warned keyless systems could be “successfully undermined” and unless manufacturers improve the design cars would be stolen without forced entry.

The site warned that anyone looking to steal a car that’s fitted with keyless entry just needs to get their hands on a piece of kit called an emulator, which then helps them walk away with your car in roughly “20 seconds.”

While the industry has been accused of “ignorance” over the issue, a trade body in the UK argued that it hasn’t “failed on security” and has instead been in an “arms race” with car thieves.

Now, automakers are scrapping to invest in better tech to protect their newest models. In fact, companies including Jaguar Land Rover have plowed more than £10m (about $12.7m) into upgrades on security for some of its most stolen models. Particularly vulnerable cars from the company include Range Rover models built between 2018 and 2022.

2nd Gear: Ford Issues Stop Sale Order For Lightning Trucks

After a woeful 2022 and 2023 for quality control at Ford that saw it recall all manner of cars for all kinds of issues, the problems appear to be persisting at the Blue Oval. Now, the Mustang maker has issues a stop-sale order for its electric F-150 Lightning pickup truck over an undisclosed quality issue.

The stop sale order, which was brought to our attention by the folks at Automotive News, affects the 2024 model year F-150 Lightning. As the site reports:

The Lightning stop-ship order went into effect Feb. 9, a Ford spokesperson told Automotive News, and it’s unclear when it will be lifted. The automaker continues to build Lightnings at the Rouge Electric Vehicle Center in Dearborn, Mich., the spokesperson said.

“We started shipping the first newly designed F-150 pickups to dealers this week,” the company said in a statement. “MY24 Lightnings started shipping last month. We expect to ramp up shipments in the coming weeks as we complete thorough launch quality checks to ensure these new F-150s meet our high standards and delight customers.”

While Ford is confident that shipments of its electric truck will begin again in the coming weeks, the American automaker has plowed on and begun delivering its 2024 gas-powered F-150. Despite production of the new truck commencing late last year, Ford has finally started releasing trucks from its holding facilities in Michigan.

The practice of holding onto new models before sending them out to dealers is apparently “not unusual,” report Automotive News. The practice is most commonly turned to when a supply chain issue leaves certain parts to arrive late and get installed on the new trucks right at the last minute.

3rd Gear: Toyota Extends Production Shutdown Over Emission Scandal

After facing the music in Japan for failed emission tests from one of its subsidiaries, Toyota has now extended a production stoppage at two of its plants in Japan as the extent of the scandal begins to reveal itself.

According to a report from Reuters, Toyota has this week extended a production stoppage that started back on January 29, 2024. Now, two lines at a plant operated by Toyota Industries will remain closed until March 4 at the earliest. As Reuters reports:

The suspension will continue for one line at Toyota Auto Body’s Inabe plant in Mie prefecture, where production includes the Alphard and Vellfire minivans, and one line at Gifu Auto Body’s main plant in Gifu prefecture, where production includes the HiAce van.

Toyota’s latest run-in with emission regulators affects engines produced by its Toyota Industries subsidiary in Japan. Last week, the company was found to have cheated on emissions tests for diesel engines that are used in Toyota’s HiAce vans and Land Cruiser Prado SUV.

The emission scandal is the second time a Toyota subsidiary has been founded to have cheated on tests. Last year, Toyota-backed Daihatsu was forced to stop shipping and selling certain models after it was found that the company forged crash test results for more than 30 years.

4th Gear: U.S. Automakers Say No To Chinese EV Imports

If there’s one thing that unites every American automaker, it’s a shared fear of what could happen if Chinese automakers are allowed to sell their budget-friendly EVs here in the Land of the Free. Now, the American auto industry has called on the government to block the imports of such models through Mexico, where many Chinese car companies are eyeing expansion in the coming years.

According to a Reuters report, the import of cheap Chinese EVs through Mexico could “threaten the viability of American car companies,” warned a U.S. manufacturing advocacy group. As such, the group is calling on the government to block the import of such models. As Reuters explains:

“The introduction of cheap Chinese autos – which are so inexpensive because they are backed with the power and funding of the Chinese government – to the American market could end up being an extinction-level event for the U.S. auto sector,” the Alliance for American Manufacturing said in a report.

The group argues the United States should work to prevent automobiles and parts manufactured in Mexico by companies headquartered in China from benefiting from a North American free trade agreement. “The commercial backdoor left open to Chinese auto imports should be shut before it causes mass plant closures and job losses in the United States,” the report said.

The report comes as Chinese automotive company BYD announced it plans to expand its production footprint into Mexico, with the company eyeing sites south of the border. The move would follow similar steps from Volvo owner Geely, which has plans underway to sell its cars in Mexico in the coming years.