Introduction

In a time when dealerships across the nation were paralyzed by the CDK Global outage, McDonald Automotive ran a radio ad to their customers on how they were unaffected. Their decision to adopt Tekion’s secure, cloud-native platform not only shielded them from operational disruptions but also elevated their dealership performance. This video details how McDonald Automotive discovered a competitive advantage through Tekion’s modern, integrated DMS.

Implementation Success

Tekion’s modern architecture enabled McDonald Automotive to maintain full operational capacity during the outage. Beyond continuity, Tekion brought greater transparency, streamlined workflows, and improved employee experiences. Staff immediately noticed the contrast with legacy systems, remarking on Tekion’s unified platform and modern UI, which empowered them to deliver faster, smoother customer service.

Key Features and Benefits

Built-in Resilience and Security

Tekion’s modern architecture prevents system-wide vulnerabilities, making it significantly more secure than legacy DMS providers.

All-in-One Platform

Unlike older systems requiring multiple add-ons, Tekion consolidates CRM, inventory, financial reporting, sales tools and more into one cohesive system, improving internal workflows and customer interactions.

Actionable CRM Dashboard

Sales teams benefit from Tekion’s dynamic CRM, which shows appointments, showroom activity, deal status, and follow-up reminders—all in real time—improving sales performance and guest satisfaction.

Enhanced CSI and Customer Experience

Since implementing Tekion, CSI scores rose from 93–94% to 98–99%, thanks to improved deal flow, faster approvals, and a seamless customer journey.

Data Transparency for Coaching and Performance

Real-time reporting on KPIs such as hours per RO and effective labor rate allows fixed ops managers to better coach teams and drive performance across departments.

Modern Interface, Minimal Training

Tekion’s intuitive design eliminates the need for workarounds or multiple logins, drastically reducing the learning curve and enhancing day-to-day efficiency for all departments.

Culture and Operational Impact

McDonald Automotive’s team describes working with Tekion as inspiring—a departure from clunky, outdated systems to a streamlined, tech-forward environment. By removing operational friction and allowing staff to focus on customers rather than software limitations, Tekion has helped foster a more engaged, high-performing workforce.

Conclusion

McDonald Automotive’s proactive move to Tekion not only protected them from the CDK Global cyber incidents but also transformed how they operate and serve customers. With improved efficiency, elevated CSI, and future-ready technology, Tekion has become central to McDonald Automotive. Their story underscores Tekion’s role as a resilient, innovative platform for dealerships seeking to thrive in a rapidly changing retail landscape.