Welcome to today's edition of the Daily 5
The June 19 cyberattacks on CDK Global's dealership management system rocked the auto dealer world at the worst possible time — the summer sales season. The fallout lasted several weeks during which systems recovered and second-quarter U.S. auto sales suffered.
Reporter Paige Hodder tells the story today about how dealers adapted and the lessons they learned from this crisis. One big message: Don't get too dependent on technology.
Tom Mallad, the finance director at Village Ford in suburban Detroit, told Hodder he learned "we always have to look back and have a fail-safe in place for what happens if we don't have a system."
Good idea. With the proliferation of more cyberattacks hitting the U.S., the auto industry better be prepared.
Meanwhile, we have an excellent report out of Japan about how Toyota's Lexus brand is benchmarking German luxury vehicles. Lexus engineers found something that will make a difference.
We have a plethora of Ford news this week. Here's a sneak peek at a key Ford Expedition variant. And Ford today named a new design chief.
While we can't predict the next cyberattack or what other management moves are coming, there is one thing that's always predictable this time of year: Nissan will launch new Heisman House ads for football season. The automaker released a new commercial today featuring former University of Southern California star Reggie Bush. It's pretty funny. Watch it here.
Looking ahead to tomorrow, our exclusive buy-sell dealership coverage will be looking closely at a big East Coast acquisition just made by the growing dealer group McGovern Automotive from suburban Boston.
That's it for now. Have a great rest of your day.
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