Jaguar Land Rover has told workers to remain at home until Tuesday as it handles the consequences of a cyber attack.
The breach over the weekend forced the automaker to switch off essential IT systems. That move disrupted both production and sales.
Factories in Halewood, Solihull, and Wolverhampton are closed. Managers warn operations could remain suspended longer as the review continues.
disruption to production and sales
Car sales have been badly affected, though some transactions still went through, according to people close to the situation.
Jaguar Land Rover, owned by India’s Tata Motors, shut down systems on Sunday to limit potential damage.
The company is restoring them step by step. Experts say the process is highly complex. Temporary fixes keep some functions running while others remain offline.
The timing has added pressure. September is usually a strong sales month as buyers collect vehicles with new registration plates.
supply chain and garages hit
The disruption has spread to suppliers. Many reduced output and criticised Jaguar Land Rover for poor communication.
Garages also feel the strain. Owners of Jaguar and Land Rover models may face long delays for replacement parts.
James Wallis of Nyewood Express in West Sussex said he cannot access the parts database.
“That system covers every model,” he explained. “Without it, I cannot order or repair vehicles.”
He added: “If the source is unavailable, work stops. Cars stay idle. Customers wait.”
hackers claim responsibility
On Wednesday, a hacker group said it carried out the attack. Earlier this year, the same collective targeted Marks and Spencer.
The group, believed to be teenagers, calls itself “Scattered Lapsus$ Hunters.” Members claimed they broke into Jaguar Land Rover’s systems.
They posted two images online. One showed charging issue guidance. The other displayed internal logs.
A cybersecurity expert said the screenshots suggested access to restricted information.
Jaguar Land Rover confirmed it is investigating. So far, no evidence shows that customer data has been taken.
digital strategy under fire
In 2023 Jaguar Land Rover signed a five-year £800m contract with Tata Consultancy Services. The deal focused on cybersecurity and digital transformation.
The shutdown raises new questions about that strategy. It comes after profit losses linked to rising costs from US tariffs.
