UK Renault customers have been hit by a cyber attack, with hackers stealing personal data in the latest of a string of major breaches affecting global businesses. Renault Group UK has confirmed via email to drivers that a third-party data processing firm used by the car company was targeted by cyber criminals.

As a result, "some customers' personal data has been taken from one of their systems", Renault admitted. Reports suggest that owners and customers of Dacia vehicles, also manufactured by Renault, may have been impacted as well.

The company was quick to reassure that no financial data, such as bank account details, or password data was compromised in the attack. However, it did confirm that the accessed data could include customer names, addresses, dates of birth, gender, phone numbers, vehicle identification numbers and vehicle registration details.

Renault has not disclosed the number of customers affected by this incident, but assured that no direct Renault Group UK systems were compromised.

In response to the breach, a spokesman for Renault UK said: "We are in the process of contacting all affected customers, advising them of the cyber attack and reminding them to be cautious of any unsolicited requests for personal information.

"Concerned customers should consult https://www.renault.co.uk/data-privacy.html or contact our data protection officer at dataprivacy@renault.co.uk.

"We wish to apologise to all affected customers. Data privacy is of the utmost importance to us and we deeply regret that this has occurred."

Meanwhile, Jaguar Land Rover (JLR), a competitor, is still grappling with the damaging aftermath of a significant cyber attack which forced the UK's largest car manufacturer to cease production. Earlier this week, JLR announced plans to resume some production within "the coming days", a month after the hack led to its factory shutdown.

A slew of other businesses have also fallen victim to major cyber attacks in recent months, including beer titan Asahi, high street retailer Marks and Spencer, and nursery group Kido Schools.