Before I update you on what’s happening at NADA, I’d like to take this opportunity to introduce myself. My name is Matt Laughridge, and I am the newly elected NADA director for Georgia. I first want to thank outgoing NADA Director Steve Middlebrooks of Heyward Allen Motors in Athens. Steve has been our state’s NADA director since 2017, and he has done an outstanding job! He relentlessly worked to recruit new NADA members and contributors to the NADA PAC while keeping Georgia dealers informed of national issues and NADA’s advocating on our behalf. Well done, Steve.
As for me, I am a Hyundai and Genesis Dealer from Cartersville, Georgia. I have been in the automobile business all my life. I started by washing cars in the summer of sixth grade. As I got older, I was fortunate enough to be able to work in every department, learning all aspects of the business. I was able to buy into my family store in 2012 and have been involved first-hand in operating the dealership ever since. I have been involved with NADA and the NADA PAC for over 10 years, helping to create and build NADA’s successful NextGen program. Prior to being elected as Georgia’s NADA director, I served on the GADA board, most recently as the North Georgia area vice chair. As your NADA director, I intend to work to ensure the survival and success of franchise dealers. The dealer franchise network is the only true way to provide the best experience for today’s car buyers and the local community.
On a more personal level, I love spending time with my family — my wife Ashley and daughter Evie. We have a new baby boy on the way, and we’re very excited about our growing family. I enjoy golfing, hunting, traveling and cheering on the Atlanta Falcons.
I want to thank Georgia dealers for giving me the opportunity to represent you and your business with NADA. I also want to thank Lea, Ben, Bill and the GADA staff for always helping me out and being the best team for the dealers.
The FTC Vehicle Shopping Rule
(also known by the FTC as the CARS Rule)
NADA continues to pursue an aggressive legal and legislative strategy to stop the FTC’s Vehicle Shopping Rule from taking effect.
The full House of Representatives may consider the FY25 Financial Services and General Government (FSGG) appropriations bill in September, which includes a NADA‑backed provision that would stop the FTC from implementing or enforcing the Vehicle Shopping Rule until Sept. 30, 2025. NADA continues to press legislators to include this provision.
In addition to legislative strategy, NADA and the Texas Automobile Dealers Association (TADA), have filed a legal challenge to the Vehicle Shopping Rule. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit has set a tentative date of the week of Oct. 7 to hear oral arguments in this lawsuit.
CDK Cyber Incident
NADA continues to provide updates and guidance to assist dealers in responding to the CDK cyber incident and in strengthening their operations moving forward.
The FTC accepted a NADA proposal made in coordination with CDK that permits CDK to file a consolidated breach notification with the FTC on behalf of its dealer clients if CDK determines that the FTC Safeguards Rule’s new federal notification requirement is triggered. Dealers, therefore, have no obligation to file a breach notification with the FTC related to this matter unless dealers opt out of this process. In addition, following a meeting that NADA arranged between CDK Privacy Counsel and ATAE Leadership, CDK notified the executives at state dealer associations that it would also comply with state notice obligations for dealers that do not opt out.
Dealers are reminded that (i) the full range of FTC Safeguards Rule requirements remain in effect, and (ii) every state has a breach notification requirement and, although CDK has made the commitment stated above, it has not indicated whether it has communicated with state regulators on the matter. Dealers who use CDK should provide the CDK notice to their legal counsel and review what, if any, action they may need to take to comply with state law.
Dealers should also be on alert for phishing scams and suspicious calls and emails.
CDK employees “will not and have not been soliciting access or passwords to customers’ systems or environments. Any request should be immediately treated as suspicious.”
