Jaguar Land Rover has told staff to remain at home until Tuesday while it handles the impact of a cyber attack.
The weekend breach forced the automaker to switch off crucial IT systems. That step disrupted both car sales and production.
Plants in Halewood, Solihull, and Wolverhampton are idle. Managers warn the shutdown could last longer as the review continues.
production and sales take a hit
Car sales have been badly affected, though some deals still went through, according to people close to the matter.
Jaguar Land Rover, owned by India’s Tata Motors, turned off systems on Sunday to contain possible damage.
The company is restoring them cautiously. Experts call the process highly complex. Work-arounds cover some operations while others stay offline.
The timing hurts the business. September often drives demand as customers collect vehicles with new registration plates.
suppliers and garages struggle
The disruption has spread through the supply chain. Parts suppliers scaled back work and criticised Jaguar Land Rover for weak communication.
Independent garages also face setbacks. Jaguar and Land Rover drivers risk delays when ordering essential parts.
James Wallis from Nyewood Express in West Sussex said he cannot use the database that lists all parts.
“That system covers every model,” he explained. “If I cannot access it, I cannot order or repair.”
He added: “When the source is blocked, repairs stop. Cars remain idle. Customers wait.”
teenage hackers claim responsibility
On Wednesday, a hacker group said it carried out the attack. The same collective previously targeted Marks and Spencer.
The group, believed to be teenagers, calls itself “Scattered Lapsus$ Hunters.” Members claimed they breached Jaguar Land Rover’s systems.
They posted two images online. One showed guidance for fixing a charging issue. The other displayed internal logs.
A cybersecurity expert said the screenshots suggested access to information outsiders should never see.
Jaguar Land Rover confirmed it is investigating. The company said no evidence yet shows customer data has been taken.
cybersecurity deal under pressure
In 2023 Jaguar Land Rover signed a five-year £800m contract with Tata Consultancy Services. The agreement promised stronger cybersecurity and digital transformation.
The attack now casts doubt on that strategy. The production halt also follows profit losses linked to rising costs from US tariffs.
