MACON, Ga. — CDK Global - a worldwide software company - is currently investigating a cyberattack which shut down computer systems for car dealerships across the U.S.
Managers at Hutchinson Kia of Macon and Five Star Hyundai say that they're still helping customers, despite the security breach.
Aurico Wilson is the sales manager at Five Star Hyundai in Macon. He says he knew something was wrong with their systems Wednesday morning when the staff could not sign in.
Last week, CDK Global learned about the cyber incident and shut down most of its systems.
That means it became more difficult to complete a car sale, look up car parts and other day to day operations. CDK's automotive software is used by many dealerships like Ford, Jeep, Hyundai, and Kia. Wilson says corporate has helped them make sure they can still serve customers.
"It's still easy to buy a car. That cyber breach did not affect any customers whatsoever. Customers can still buy a car the way they've been buying vehicles. The process here is a little bit easier and it's always going to be easier," Wilson said.
Taleen Hanna is an incoming senior at Mercer University. She said after someone broke into her Kia, insurance, and Kia representatives needed to get quotes for parts that were broken.
"Whoever broke into it, broke the back passenger window and they also took everything under the steering wheel apart and tried to steal it," Hanna said.
Hanna said she learned about the cyberattack after the Kia representative told her about the breach.
"The representative from the dealership told me that they aren't able to complete the quote at this time because they can't really see the parts on their inventory on their system online," Hanna said.
Hanna says she's using her mom's car to get to and from work. She says she wasn't too surprised about the cyberattack because Mercer University had a similar breach last May. She hopes to get her car back soon.
"Those who work in dealerships or even those who want to buy new cars or can't live without their car as I can are probably in a lot more trouble than I am," Hanna said.
Wilson says they are still working at Five Star and have been able to help customers who have come in.
CDK Global sent us a statement saying as of June 22, 2024:
"CDK experienced a cyber incident on June 19th. We promptly launched an investigation with leading third-party experts and notified law enforcement. We have begun the restoration process. Based on the information we have at this time, we anticipate that the process will take several days to complete, and in the interim, we are continuing to actively engage with our customers and provide them with alternate ways to conduct business."