UK factory operation halt due to cyber assault extends to three weeks for Jaguar Land Rover
Jaguar Land Rover is currently grappling with a significant cybersecurity attack that has disrupted its retail and manufacturing operations, forcing the luxury carmaker to halt production worldwide. The attack, a large-scale ransomware attack, is believed to have taken place at the end of August 2025. The company's systems were shut down on September 1, 2025, and, as of September 24, the production pause has been extended. This cybersecurity attack has affected central IT systems, including production control, dealer processes, and logistics, causing a ripple effect across Jaguar Land Rover's supply chain. The company's supply chain, which supports 104,000 jobs across the country, is concerned about the financial impact of the extended production stoppage. Many of Jaguar Land Rover's 33,000 staff have been told to stay at home. Reports suggest that the production shutdown might extend until November, but the company has stated this is not their current position. The luxury carmaker's three British factories, which produce about 1,000 cars per day, will remain shut down, with the stoppage lasting more than three weeks. The Department of Business and Trade's cybersecurity experts are supporting Jaguar Land Rover to help resolve the cybersecurity attack as quickly as possible. Chris McDonald, a minister in the Department of Business and Trade, met with Jaguar Land Rover on Tuesday to discuss resolving the issue and restarting production. This cybersecurity attack on Jaguar Land Rover is part of a series of similar incidents targeting companies worldwide, including household names like Marks & Spencer and the Co-op in Britain. The Unite trade union has suggested potential job losses and has proposed that government support may be needed due to the lengthy stoppage. In July, Jaguar Land Rover reported an 11% drop in quarterly sales partly due to a temporary pause in U.S. shipments after tariffs were imposed. The company has reduced its profit margin target for fiscal 2026 to 5%-7%, down from 10%, citing ongoing trade uncertainty. Jaguar Land Rover is currently dealing with broader challenges such as weaker demand in China and Europe, and delays in the launch of its electric vehicle models. The cybersecurity attack has added to these woes, causing uncertainty and disruption in the company's operations. The forensic investigation of the cyber incident is ongoing, and Jaguar Land Rover is working diligently to contain the damage and restore its systems to normal operation. The company remains committed to ensuring the security of its data and the well-being of its employees during this challenging time.
