Jaguar Land Rover has instructed staff to stay home until Tuesday as it tackles the fallout from a cyber attack.
The breach over the weekend forced the automaker to shut down vital IT systems. That move disrupted both sales and production.
Factories in Halewood, Solihull, and Wolverhampton remain closed. Managers said operations could stay suspended for longer as the review continues.
car sales and systems disrupted
Car sales have faced severe disruption, though some transactions still went through, according to people close to the situation.
Jaguar Land Rover, owned by India’s Tata Motors, switched off its systems on Sunday to contain possible damage.
The company is now restoring them gradually. Experts call the process highly complex. Temporary solutions keep some functions running while others remain offline.
The attack came at a critical time. September usually brings high demand as buyers collect cars with new registration plates.
suppliers and garages face setbacks
The disruption stretches across the supply chain. Parts suppliers have reduced activity and criticised Jaguar Land Rover for poor communication.
Garages also struggle. Jaguar and Land Rover owners risk delays when cars need replacement parts.
James Wallis of Nyewood Express in West Sussex said he cannot reach the essential database.
“That list covers every model,” he said. “If I cannot access it, I cannot order and cannot repair.”
He added: “If the source is unavailable, work stops. Cars stay idle. Customers wait.”
hackers claim involvement
On Wednesday, a hacker group claimed responsibility. The same collective previously attacked Marks and Spencer earlier this year.
The group, believed to be teenagers, calls itself “Scattered Lapsus$ Hunters.” They said they accessed Jaguar Land Rover’s systems.
Two images appeared online. One showed guidance for a charging issue, the other contained internal logs.
A cybersecurity expert said the screenshots suggest access to restricted information.
Jaguar Land Rover confirmed an investigation is underway. So far, there is no evidence of stolen customer data.
digital security under scrutiny
In 2023 Jaguar Land Rover signed a five-year, £800m contract with Tata Consultancy Services. The deal aimed to support digital transformation and cybersecurity.
The shutdown now raises questions over that strategy. It also follows falling profits blamed on rising costs linked to US tariffs.
