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The thief starts the car and proceeds to drive away.

Will the car continue to operate once the thief is out of range?

Is the purpose of this just to get access to your car to steal goods?

Or is this just an extreme demonstration to get automakers to tighten security?

Maybe the car can be driven away for once. The engine immobilizer requires the keyfob to be present inside the car for it be driven away. If the spoofed fob can trick the immobilizer, yes it can be driven away for once because the immobilizer check is not always "on". Its checked before the engine starts.

If it was, I could throw my keyfob out of the window on a highway and the car would come to a stop.

Typically with these systems they will continue running until you turn them off (or stall).

My car will stay running and allow you to drive off without the key. I tested this when I got my car. I started the car, then put the keys in my garage and then drove down the street.

You wouldn't be able to start the car again if you turned it off, but by then the car is long gone.

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