Brittney Sanders v. Kia America, Inc.

I. BACKGROUND

Plaintiffs are 113 California residents who purchased vehicles from Kia between 2011–2021 and from Hyundai between 2015–2021 that were stolen because they lack engine immobilizer technology. (Notice of Removal, Ex. A (“Sanders Compl.”) ¶¶ Dkt. No. 1-1; Mot. 3.) Five months before Plaintiffs filed this lawsuit, Plaintiffs’ counsel filed a nearly identical action in the Central District of California: McQuarrie v. Kia America, Inc., No.

CENTRAL DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

CIVIL MINUTES - GENERAL

Case No. 8:23-cv-00486-JVS(KESx) Date June 13, 2023 Title Brittney Sanders et al. v. Kia America Inc., et al. putative class action seeking to represent California residents who sought to represent a nationwide class of purchasers and lessees of Kia and Hyundai vehicles. (McQuarrie Compl. ¶ 6.) A multidistrict litigation (the “MDL”) was created to centralize all litigation for suits by consumers who purchased or leased Kia and Hyundai vehicles that lack engine immobilizer technology. In re: Kia Hyundai Vehicle Theft Marketing, Sales Practices, & Prods. Liab. Litig., No. 22-3052 (C.D. Cal. Dec. 22, 2022). An overwhelming majority of the actions in the MDL…