CDK Global Cyberattacks Disrupt Car Dealerships Across North America

Throughout the week of April 18th, car dealerships across North America have experienced severe disruptions due to cyberattacks targeted at CDK Global, a leading provider of software solutions for thousands of auto dealers in the U.S. and Canada.

CDK Global, headquartered near Chicago in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, serves as a critical technology partner for over 15,000 retail locations in North America, handling essential operations such as vehicle sales, financing, insurance, and repairs. The series of cyberattacks led to a complete shutdown of the company's systems, impacting numerous dealerships and causing widespread operational outages.

Consequences for Car Buyers and Dealerships

As a result of the cyber incidents, prospective car buyers may face delays in dealership operations, potentially leading to orders being processed manually. The outage, which began on Wednesday, has created uncertainty about when normal operations will resume, with no estimated timeframe provided by CDK Global.

Industry Response

Several major auto companies, including Stellantis, Ford, and BMW, have confirmed that the CDK outage has affected some of their dealers. Dealerships have been forced to resort to manual processes to serve customers, including handwritten order documentation and alternative support channels to minimize disruptions.

Amid the ongoing situation, protecting customer information has become a top priority for dealerships. Concerns about potential data breaches and the nature of the compromised information have prompted responses from industry leaders, such as the National Automobile Dealers Association, which is actively seeking information from CDK to assess the extent of the cyber incident.

With critical systems remaining inaccessible and customer support channels unavailable, the full impact of the cyberattacks on the automotive industry is still unfolding. As the investigation into the cyber incidents continues, the automotive sector remains focused on mitigating disruptions and safeguarding customer data.