Jaguar Land Rover Extends Global Factory Shutdowns to 1 October After Major Cyber Attack

Jaguar Land Rover (JLR), has announced the extension of its unprecedented global production shutdown following a devastating cyber attack that has paralysed its IT systems since 31 August 2025. In a statement issued on Tuesday, a spokesperson for JLR said: “Today we have informed colleagues, suppliers and partners that we have extended the current pause in production until Wednesday 1 October 2025, following the cyber incident. We have made this decision to give clarity for the coming week as we build the timeline for the phased restart of our operations and continue our investigation.”

“Our teams continue to work around the clock alongside cybersecurity specialists, the NCSC and law enforcement to ensure we restart in a safe and secure manner. Our focus remains on supporting our customers, suppliers, colleagues, and our retailers, who remain open. We fully recognise this is a difficult time and we thank everyone for their continued support and patience.”

Attack Disrupts Global Operations Including India

The cyber attack, believed to be a ransomware assault, has brought production lines to a standstill not only in the UK but also at sites in China, Slovakia, Brazil and notably India. Acko Drive has managed to find out that JLR's India operations have been disrupted. With a monthly capacity of 1,000 vehicles, this attack has caused backlogs of 3–8 months depending on model. Dealers worldwide have been unable to register vehicles or order spare parts, and even diagnostic software has been rendered inoperable. More than 33,000 JLR staff in the UK alone have been affected, with assembly lines at Solihull and Halewood forced to operate minimal shifts as maintenance teams idle.

The repercussions for the wider supply chain have been severe, with an estimated 200,000 jobs across hundreds of supplier companies at risk. Industry insiders report that about a quarter of suppliers have already paused production and laid off workers, “banking hours” for future use, while more are expected to follow suit in the coming days. Chief executive Mike Hawes of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders warned, “Whatever happens to JLR will reverberate through the supply chain. Some small and medium-sized enterprises are most at risk, with up to a quarter already forced to lay off employees. Further 20–25% will consider similar action soon.”

Government and Security Response

With mounting calls for government intervention to support affected workers, officials from the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) and Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) are coordinating to ensure a secure phased restart. Parliamentary figures have voiced concerns about the vulnerability of UK businesses in the digital age, citing state-sponsored cyber threats from countries such as Russia, North Korea, and Iran. The government is scrutinizing the resilience of digital operations and the risks posed by outsourcing IT to international partners. As JLR works to recover, the automotive industry awaits signs of stability and a return to production.