JLR testing at factories ahead of production restart after cyber attack

Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has started testing at its factories ahead of restarting some production as it continues to recover from the impact of a cyber attack.

The British car maker has said some sections of its manufacturing will “resume in the coming days”.

It comes amid reports from the BBC that it will first resume some production at its engine factory in Wolverhampton this week.

The company has not confirmed when manufacturing will restart but stressed that it is keeping workers, retailers and suppliers informed.

On Monday, a JLR spokeswoman said: “As the controlled, phased restart of our operations continues, we are taking further steps towards our recovery and the return to manufacture of our world-class vehicles.

“We have informed colleagues, retailers and suppliers that some sections of our manufacturing operations will resume in the coming days.

“We continue to work around the clock alongside cybersecurity specialists, the UK Government’s NCSC and law enforcement to ensure our restart is done in a safe and secure manner.

“We would like to thank everyone connected with JLR for their continued patience, understanding and support.”

JLR paused all manufacturing at the start of September after being targeted by hackers.

The group had recently extended the production pause until at least October 1 after its systems were hacked, impacting its factories in Halewood on Merseyside and Solihull in the West Midlands, as well as its Wolverhampton engine manufacturing site.

Experts have warned the production shutdown could hit the group’s bottom line by around £120 million, with the firm usually thought to build about 1,000 cars a day.

The pause has also left its suppliers in limbo, leading to calls for urgent financial support, with the Government announcing it would underwrite a £1.5 billion loan guarantee to JLR to give suppliers some certainty over payments.

The loan, from a commercial bank, will help to bolster JLR’s cash reserves as it pays back companies in its supply chain, who have been majorly impacted by the shutdown.

Unions and politicians have raised fears that small suppliers producing parts for the car giant could collapse without financial support.

JLR has the largest supply chain in the UK automotive sector, which employs around 120,000 people and is largely made up of small and medium-sized businesses.

In the aftermath of the attack on August 31, ministers have been in contact daily with JLR and cyber experts, as the company seeks to restart production.

Downing Street said it had been “a concerning time for workers at Jaguar Land Rover and, of course, across the supply chain”.

A raft of other businesses have been hit by major cyber attacks in recent months, including beer giant Asahi, high street retailer Marks & Spencer and nursery group Kido Schools.