Cyberattack on Jaguar Land Rover Continues
Jaguar Land Rover continues to face serious difficulties due to a cyberattack that occurred over three weeks ago. A group of teenage hackers attacked the British automaker, leading to system paralysis and a production halt. The company confirmed that production at all its facilities will be suspended until at least October 1.
Financial Losses and Risks for Suppliers
Typically, Jaguar Land Rover produces over 1,000 cars per day, but the plants in Solihull, Halewood, and Wolverhampton have not been operational since August 31. The company’s financial losses are estimated at £5-10 million per day. Industry experts express concern that the prolonged shutdown could lead to the bankruptcy of small and medium-sized suppliers.
We are already seeing employers discussing potential layoffs, adds union representative Jason Richards. People have to pay rent, mortgages, and if they don’t receive a salary, what are they to do?
Company Reaction and Prospects
In an official statement, Jaguar Land Rover reported that their focus remains on supporting customers, suppliers, and employees. Sources wishing to remain anonymous suggest that the problems could last until November, although the company itself calls such predictions speculative.
Impact on Dealers and the Future
The situation is so serious that dealers are forced to use manual paperwork for vehicle registration. Former Aston Martin executive Andy Palmer confirms that some suppliers may not withstand a prolonged crisis. This creates additional risks for restoring production in the future.
The duration of the downtime threatens not only the stability of Jaguar Land Rover but also the entire automotive industry supply chain. Even after the systems are restored, the company may require significant time to normalize component supplies and restore partner confidence. The modern automotive industry demonstrates the vulnerability of complex production networks to cyber threats, which requires a review of security approaches across the entire industry.