JLR to Restart Production After Cyberattack Shutdown
Jaguar Land Rover has announced that some of its UK manufacturing operations will restart in the coming days, following a cyberattack that forced a near month-long shutdown. The attack, which hit on August 31st, brought production at its Solihull, Halewood, and Wolverhampton plants to a halt. “Today we are informing colleagues, retailers and suppliers that some sections of our manufacturing operations will resume in the coming days,” a JLR spokesperson confirmed in a statement.
The restart will be gradual, with priority reportedly going to the Wolverhampton engine plant. While it’s a relief for many in the supply chain, the financial toll has already been severe. One supplier told the BBC that the news would provide some relief, but warned that many smaller firms still need help, saying that vulnerable firms could not afford to take on more debt. In response to the attack and the struggles suppliers are facing as a result, the government has stepped in with a £1.5bn loan guarantee aimed at supporting both JLR and its struggling suppliers.
JLR says it's working “around the clock alongside cybersecurity specialists, the UK Government’s NCSC and law enforcement” to make sure the restart is secure. The company thanked its workforce and partners for their patience and said it remains focused on recovery. “We know there is much more to do, but the foundational work of our recovery is firmly underway.”
