Jaguar Land Rover (JLR), Britain’s largest carmaker and a subsidiary of India’s Tata Group, has confirmed that a cyber-attack has affected some of its data, prompting extended closures at factories in the UK and abroad. The attack, first detected last week, has forced the company to pause production at several sites, leaving workers and supply chains in limbo.
In a statement on Wednesday, JLR said that ongoing investigations revealed that data had been breached, though the company could not yet confirm whether customer or supplier information had been stolen. The automaker reassured the public that anyone affected will be contacted, and all relevant authorities including the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), have been informed.
“The costs of the cyber-attack are mounting swiftly,” a spokesperson said. Factories in the Midlands and Merseyside were already halted until at least Thursday, with employees told they may not return until the following Monday. Other production facilities around the world are also on pause, raising concerns that normal operations could be delayed for weeks.
The cyber-attack is also disrupting JLR’s broader network of suppliers and dealerships. Some partners are operating without access to their usual computer systems and databases, which are critical for sourcing spare parts and registering vehicles.
A company spokesperson emphasized the ongoing recovery efforts:
“Since we became aware of the cyber incident, we have been working around the clock, alongside third-party cybersecurity specialists, to restart our global applications in a controlled and safe manner. As a result of our ongoing investigation, we now believe that some data has been affected and we are informing the relevant regulators. Our forensic investigation continues at pace and we will contact anyone as appropriate if we find that their data has been impacted. We are very sorry for the continued disruption this incident is causing and we will continue to update as the investigation progresses.”
The incident highlights the growing cybersecurity risks faced by major manufacturers, as ransomware and data breaches increasingly threaten production, logistics, and customer information. For JLR, the focus remains on restoring operations safely while determining the full extent of the data compromise.
