Jaguar Land Rover, the UK’s largest car manufacturer, is reeling from a cyberattack that has halted operations at plants in Solihull, Wolverhampton, and Halewood. The incident, first detected on August 31, prompted the company to shut down IT systems in order to prevent further damage.
September, when new number plates are introduced, is traditionally JLR’s most profitable month. Former Aston Martin chief executive Andy Palmer described the timing as catastrophic, calling it “a huge problem” that would cost JLR the chance to make vital wholesale deliveries.
According to sources Palmer warned that continuous production is the lifeblood of car companies, and said he was surprised it’s taken so long for systems to return. He added that UK manufacturing has become the most targeted industrial sector in Europe, accounting for about 25% of recorded cyberattacks in recent years.
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Supply Chains Struggle Without Digital Systems
The impact has rippled far beyond JLR’s own plants. Dealers and service specialists who rely on JLR’s digital parts catalogue have been left scrambling. Chris Hammett, a parts manager at MM 4×4 in Droitwich, said he had reverted to flipping through printed catalogues to find components. “You can’t order any genuine parts if you want those,” he said, noting that the disruption could last for weeks.
With more than 100,000 individual parts in a single vehicle, suppliers and repair shops face mounting delays and costs. Many independent businesses are warning of lost income as customers wait for repairs or turn to alternative markets.
A Wake-Up Call for British Manufacturing
JLR confirmed on Monday that factories will remain closed until at least Wednesday as it works with cybersecurity specialists and law enforcement to restore systems “in a controlled and safe manner.” The company has not indicated whether sensitive customer data was compromised.
Experts say the episode underscores a broader vulnerability in Britain’s industrial base. “Big UK companies face a real risk, and strengthening digital protection must become a priority,” Palmer said. Analysts warn that prolonged downtime could jeopardize not only JLR’s recovery but also the confidence of international investors in UK manufacturing resilience.