Nope - US manufacturers are NOT pulling the same shit. Kia/Hyundai are the only brand in the US without immobilizers because they thought they could skimp there instead of a posher interior or more electro-gadgets. Only in the US because the law at that time didn’t require it, but other brands who also sell worldwide (where it is absolutely required) didn’t consider this an option. Kia/Hyundai clearly did. It was a stupid, stupid call and it should impact their reputation. If they skimp on something as elemental as security, where else have they skimped…?
Location is irrelevant … That was choice by Hyundai/Kia, to cheap out and remove the immobilizers.
Do you mean the Toyota with the airbag issues in the 90s, or their EV last year where the wheels would FALL OFF while driving? Toyota is a shell of what made it great, and the whole greenwashing of their hybrids (eg, their self-charging EVs bullshit) should make you think of other choices.
You forgot one:
Guy goes to his Lada dealer and says “I want a gas cap for my Lada”. Dealer replies “…that seems like a fair trade.”
My Dad: “If you see a problem and you’re not part of the solution, then you’re part of the problem.”
Basically, if you can make things better, stop moaning and at least try.
(This also assumes you’re a properly adjusted individual)
That its hard to pin down is 1) why we’re even discussing this here, and 2) why the Republockans keep using it as a cudgel.