Production at a number of Stellantis factories in North America has been disrupted by a cyberattack against Yanfeng Automotive Interiors, an important Chinese supplier for the car manufacturer.
Yangfeng’s North American base is located in Novi, Michigan, and manufactures key parts like seats, interiors, and electronics, among other components. Yanfeng also supplies General Motors but the carmaker has not yet said if it will have any impact on its current production schedule.
Details about the cyberattack leveled against Yanfeng are limited but Auto News notes that its website had been down.
Read: Every Louisiana Driver’s Details Leaked In Huge Russian Cyber Attack
“Due to an issue with an external supplier, production at some of Stellantis’ North America assembly plants has been disrupted,” Stellantis spokeswoman Ann Marie Fortunate told Crain’s. “We are monitoring the situation and working with the supplier to mitigate any further impact to our operations.”
General Motors spokesman Kevin Kelly added that the company was also monitoring the situation.
Cyberattacks impacting both businesses and individuals are becoming increasingly frequent. In June, the personal details of millions of U.S. residents with Louisiana driving licenses were exposed. Among the details obtained by hackers included names, addresses, driver’s license numbers, vehicle registration data, and social security numbers. A company with Russian links took credit for the attack.
News of this attack comes shortly after Stellantis announced that it is offering voluntary buyouts to 6,400 of its white-collar workers in the U.S. Chief executive Carlos Tavares said the buyouts were being offered to help the car manufacturer save money as it transitions to a line-up of electric vehicles. The proposed job cuts also come soon after Stellantis reached a tentative labor agreement with the United Auto Workers union. Most UAW-represented workers at Stellantis still need to cast their votes on the new contract.
