Jaguar Land Rover (JLR), Britain’s largest carmaker and a crown jewel in Tata Motors’ global portfolio, is finally emerging from the shadows of a crippling cyberattack that halted its operations for over six weeks. As of early October 2025, the company has begun a phased restart of its manufacturing facilities, marking a critical turning point in one of the most disruptive events in its history.
🛑 The Shutdown: A Digital Crisis Unfolds
On September 1, 2025, JLR was hit by a sophisticated cyberattack that targeted its IT infrastructure, forcing the company to shut down production across all its global facilities. The attack, reportedly orchestrated by the hacker group Scattered Lapsus$ Hunters, exploited vulnerabilities in SAP Netweaver software to access sensitive customer data.
The fallout was immediate and severe. JLR’s internal systems were frozen, parts ordering was disrupted, and dealers were left unable to register or sell vehicles. The company had no choice but to shut down its entire digital backbone to prevent further damage. The result: a complete halt in manufacturing, supply chain paralysis, and a ripple effect across its 700 suppliers and 150,000 associated jobs.
💸 Economic Impact: Millions Lost Daily
The shutdown came at a steep cost. Experts estimate JLR lost up to £5 million per day, amounting to over £150 million in direct losses over the six-week period. Retail and wholesale sales plunged—down 17.1% and 24.2% respectively in Q2 FY26—with the UK market suffering the most, followed by significant declines in Europe, North America, China, and the Middle East.
The disruption also jeopardized the financial stability of JLR’s suppliers, many of which are small, family-run businesses. Some were pushed to the brink of collapse, prompting urgent calls for government intervention.
🏭 The Restart: Controlled and Phased
JLR’s comeback is being executed with precision. The restart began on October 8 at key component facilities, including the Wolverhampton engine plant and the Battery Assembly Centre in Hams Hall near Birmingham. Stamping operations resumed at Castle Bromwich, Halewood, and Solihull, while body and paint shops at Solihull also reopened.
Vehicle assembly is following closely behind. Production lines for the Range Rover and Range Rover Sport at Solihull, and the Land Rover Defender and Discovery at Nitra, Slovakia, are scheduled to resume later this week. However, the Halewood plant—currently undergoing a £500 million renovation for future EV production.
JLR has emphasized that this restart is “controlled and phased,” prioritizing safety, quality, and system integrity. The company continues to work with cybersecurity experts, the UK’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), and law enforcement to ensure a secure recovery.
💼 Supplier Support: Financing the Comeback
Recognizing the fragility of its supply chain, JLR has launched a new financing scheme to support qualifying suppliers. Under this program, suppliers receive upfront payments—accelerated by as much as 120 days compared to standard terms—to ease cash flow during the restart phase.
JLR is also covering the financing costs for suppliers who opt into the scheme. This move follows earlier efforts to manually process outstanding invoices and re-establish automated payment systems. The scheme will eventually expand to include non-production suppliers as well.
To further stabilize operations, JLR secured a £1.5 billion loan guarantee from the UK government, ensuring liquidity and safeguarding jobs across its network.
🔐 Lessons Learned: Cyber Resilience Matters
The cyberattack has exposed vulnerabilities in JLR’s digital infrastructure, serving as a wake-up call for the entire automotive industry. As vehicles become increasingly software-driven, cybersecurity is no longer optional—it’s foundational.
JLR’s response has been swift and transparent, but rebuilding trust with customers, dealers, and suppliers will take time. The company must demonstrate that it has not only recovered but evolved, with stronger digital defenses and contingency plans in place.
🚘 What’s Next: Recovery and Reinvention
While the restart marks a major milestone, full recovery will take weeks. Clearing the backlog of orders, restoring production efficiency, and regaining market momentum are top priorities. The reopening of Halewood will be crucial for JLR’s electric vehicle ambitions, and any delays could impact future launches.
CEO Adrian Mardell called the restart “an important moment,” acknowledging the challenges ahead but expressing confidence in the company’s resilience.
As JLR reboots its engines, the road ahead is not just about recovery—it’s about reinvention. The company has weathered one of its toughest storms, and now it must prove that it can emerge stronger, smarter, and more secure.