CDK Global Strengths, Domain Expertise, and Key Differentiators
CDK Global’s key strengths lie in its deep domain expertise, extensive product portfolio, and strategic innovation. With over 40 years of experience, the company is a trusted provider of end-to-end automotive dealership solutions, covering retailing, CRM, financing, parts and service, IT infrastructure, and dealership operations. Its integrated platforms—such as the CDK Dealership Xperience and the recently launched Fundamentals Suite—serve a wide range of dealership sizes, offering scalable, intuitive solutions that streamline workflows. CDK’s use of data-driven intelligence and emerging technologies like AI and machine learning enables dealers to automate operations, enhance decision-making, and improve customer satisfaction. The company’s long-standing OEM relationships, emphasis on cybersecurity, and investment in customer service and employee development further reinforce its competitive positioning in the evolving automotive retail technology landscape.
CDK Global Recent Developments
In March 2025, CDK Global introduced the Fundamentals Suite, a core business system designed for smaller automotive dealerships, including one- to two-rooftop franchise and independent stores across the U.S. and Canada. This solution leverages the CDK Dealership Xperience platform to provide an integrated approach to vehicle sales, service, and operations management. Key features encompass intuitive user interfaces, comprehensive data protection, a trusted accounting system with robust audit trails, digital document management, and support for electronic forms and signatures. For dealerships with fixed operations, optional parts and service functionalities are available, including repair orders, invoicing, online service scheduling, and parts inventory management. The Fundamentals Suite also integrates with other CDK solutions such as SimplePay, Vehicle Inventory Suite, CDK Service, and the CDK Intelligence Suite, offering a scalable system that adapts to evolving dealership needs.
CDK Global Mergers and acquisitions (M&A) Activities
In March 2025, CDK Global introduced the Fundamentals Suite, a core business system designed for smaller automotive dealerships, including one- to two-rooftop franchise and independent stores across the U.S. and Canada. This solution leverages the CDK Dealership Xperience platform to provide an integrated approach to vehicle sales, service, and operations management. Key features encompass intuitive user interfaces, comprehensive data protection, a trusted accounting system with robust audit trails, digital document management, and support for electronic forms and signatures. For dealerships with fixed operations, optional parts and service functionalities are available, including repair orders, invoicing, online service scheduling, and parts inventory management. The Fundamentals Suite also integrates with other CDK solutions such as SimplePay, Vehicle Inventory Suite, CDK Service, and the CDK Intelligence Suite, offering a scalable system that adapts to evolving dealership needs.
CDK Global Customers in ARTW Customer Database
Leveraging a rigorous data-centric research methodology, APPS RUN THE WORLD asks the simple question: Who’s buying CDK Global applications and why? And we provide the answers – supported by decades of research – to our clients around the world. Our Customer database has over 100 data fields that detail company usage of CDK Global and other enterprise apps by function, customer size, industry, location, implementation status, partner involvement, Line of Business Key Stakeholders and IT decision makers contact details. List of Verified CDK Drive, CDK Drive Flex, CDK Desking, Elead CRM, CDK New Lot Intelligence, CDK Connected Lot, CDK Credit, CDK Service customers.
CDK Global Overview
Ownership: - Brookfield Business Partners
Number of Employees: 6500
Functional Market: Core HR, Payroll, Compliance,
Key Verticals: Automotive,
CDK Global Key Cloud and HCM Applications
CDK Drive, CDK Drive Flex, CDK Desking, Elead CRM, CDK New Lot Intelligence, CDK Connected Lot, CDK Credit, CDK Service
CDK Global HCM and Cloud HCM Applications Revenues, $M:
| Type/Year | 2023 | 2024 | YoY Growth, % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Revenues, $M | Subscribe | Subscribe | Subscribe |
| HCM Applications Revenues, $M | Subscribe | Subscribe | Subscribe |
* HCM Applications Revenues = License + Support & Maintenance + SaaS ( Hardware and Prof. Services are Excluded )
** All revenue figures are estimates based on public records, Cloud and Non-Cloud business models in Apps Run The World's vendor database, and annual survey results including vendor feedback.
CDK Global Revenue Breakdown by Type:
CDK Global HCM Applications Revenues By Sub-Functional Markets, $M:
Split by Sub-Functional Markets | % of HCM Revenue in the HR Segment | 2024 HCM Revenues, By HR Segment, $M | |
CDK Global HCM Applications Revenues By Verticals, $M:
CDK Global Total and HCM Applications Revenues by Region:
| Region | % of Total Revenues | 2024 Total Revenues, $M | 2024 HCM Applications Revenues, $M |
|---|---|---|---|
| Americas | Subscribe | Subscribe | Subscribe |
| EMEA | Subscribe | Subscribe | Subscribe |
| APAC | Subscribe | Subscribe | Subscribe |
| Total | Subscribe | Subscribe | Subscribe |
CDK Global Direct vs Indirect sales
| Type | Direct Sales | Indirect Sales | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type % | Subscribe | Subscribe | Subscribe |
| Revenues, $M | Subscribe | Subscribe | Subscribe |
CDK Global Customers - Breakdown by Geo, Size, Vertical and Product
List of Verified CDK Global Customers
No. of CDK Global Customers: 30000
No. of CDK Global HCM Applications Customers: x
No. of CDK Global Cloud HCM Customers: x
No. of CDK Global Cloud HCM Subscribers: x
CDK Global serves a broad and diverse customer base across the United States and Canada, ranging from large multi-rooftop dealer groups to smaller, single-location franchised and independent dealerships. Notable customers include Great Lakes Auto Group, Fred Beans Automotive Group, and Tom Wood Automotive Group, among others. These customers rely on CDK’s integrated technology solutions—such as the CDK Dealership Xperience and the Fundamentals Suite—to manage key dealership functions including inventory, sales, service operations, CRM, and financial management. CDK’s scalable platforms address the unique operational needs of dealerships of all sizes, helping them streamline processes, enhance customer engagement, and adapt to the evolving digital retail environment. Supported by long-standing OEM partnerships and comprehensive training, consulting, and professional services, CDK continues to be a trusted partner that enables dealerships to improve efficiency, compliance, and customer satisfaction.
CDK Global Market Opportunities, M&A and Geo Expansions
CDK Global has significant opportunities to expand and strengthen its position in the rapidly evolving automotive retail technology market. The ongoing shift toward digital retailing and online vehicle purchasing creates demand for integrated, user-friendly platforms like CDK’s Dealership Xperience and Fundamentals Suite, especially among smaller and mid-sized dealerships seeking scalable solutions. Growth in electric vehicles (EVs) and connected car technologies offers CDK the chance to develop specialized tools and data analytics tailored to new vehicle types and customer behaviors. Additionally, leveraging advancements in artificial intelligence and machine learning can further enhance automation, predictive insights, and personalized customer experiences. Expanding partnerships with OEMs and dealer groups, as well as exploring international markets, represent further avenues for growth.
CDK Global Risks and Challenges
CDK Global faces several risks that could impact its business and growth prospects. Cybersecurity remains a critical concern, highlighted by the significant ransomware attack in mid-2024, which disrupted services and led to a costly ransom payment—underscoring vulnerabilities in IT infrastructure that could damage customer trust and lead to regulatory scrutiny. The company also operates in a highly competitive market with rapid technological changes, requiring continuous innovation and investment to maintain its leadership position. Legal and regulatory risks are present, including recent antitrust settlements related to data access, which may impose financial and operational constraints. Additionally, CDK’s reliance on long-term relationships with OEMs and dealer groups means any shift in these partnerships or changes in the automotive retail landscape—such as evolving consumer buying behaviors or disruptions from new mobility models—could affect revenue stability. Finally, economic factors such as downturns in automotive sales or supply chain disruptions could reduce dealership investments in technology, posing challenges for CDK’s growth.
CDK Global Ecosystem, Partners, Resellers and SI
CDK Global maintains an extensive ecosystem that includes partnerships with over 575 Independent Software Vendors (ISVs), Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), and third-party service providers. This network supports integrations across key dealership functions such as sales, service, finance, and customer relationship management. Initiatives like the Automotive Commerce Collab aim to connect OEM and dealer systems through universal APIs, while the Fortellis Marketplace provides a platform for data and service exchange between dealers and technology providers. CDK’s Partner Program also enables third-party developers to integrate applications with its solutions, expanding the range of tools available to dealerships. Collectively, these elements form an interconnected ecosystem designed to support digital operations within the automotive retail sector.
Research Methodology
Data used in research reports are derived from publicly available documents, continuous surveys of applications vendors, customers, resellers, Independent Software Vendors, systems integrators and other verifiable sources.
Vendor shares and market forecast results are based on a combination of existing databases as well as demand side and supply side research conducted throughout the year with validation from vendors, customers, channel partners and documentations such as earnings releases and 10Q and 10K filings, vertical industry studies, regional and country-level statistics from public and private institutions(i.e. colleges, universities, government agencies and trade associations).
For additional information on our methodologies, here's the link:
https://www.appsruntheworld.com/taxonomy
https://www.appsruntheworld.com/FAQ
