Jaguar Land Rover starts phased restart after cyberattack

Jaguar Land Rover says it has begun a phased restart of its operations, with parts of its information technology (IT) system back online and processing capacity for invoicing increasing. The carmaker said it was working to clear a backlog of payments to suppliers as the company rebuilds the flow of funds after a cyber attack in August forced the shutdown of its IT networks. Its production lines have remained suspended since the attack, and the group indicated factories would stay closed until next month at the earliest as it completes the recovery program. The restart marks a significant step in restoring activity, though much work remains to return to pre-attack levels.

The government is considering stepping in to support JLR’s suppliers, as concerns grow that some, particularly small businesses, could go bust if the shutdown persists. JLR said on Thursday that its recovery programme is firmly under way and that its global parts logistics centre—responsible for supplying spare parts that service vehicles—was returning to full operations. The company added that the financial system it uses to process wholesales of vehicles has been brought back online and that it is now able to sell and register vehicles for customers faster, delivering important cash flow. The carmaker also stressed that the situation remains difficult for all connected with JLR. "The financial system we use to process the wholesales of vehicles has been brought back online and we are able to sell and register vehicles for our clients faster, delivering important cash flow," the company said, highlighting the operational gains that accompany the staged restart. "The recovery programme is firmly under way," it added, noting progress on restoring core services while acknowledging ongoing challenges.

Industry observers have long warned that a prolonged disruption at JLR can ripple through a global supply chain, given the automaker’s extensive network of suppliers and service parts providers. The phased reopening aims to reestablish essential functions first—such as cash flows from vehicle wholesales, invoicing, and parts logistics—before broader manufacturing activity resumes. Officials have indicated that any government intervention would be targeted toward stabilizing supplier payments and preventing bottlenecks that could jeopardize the recovery timeline. In the meantime, JLR described the current period as a difficult time for all parties connected with the company, underscoring the broader economic stakes tied to its ability to restart production.

As the company works through the backlog and reactivates parts supply chains, observers will be watching closely for signs of how quickly key components—from warranty service parts to critical raw materials—return to normal levels. The pace of the restart will likely influence not only JLR’s own earnings outlook but also the automotive sector’s broader market stability, given the interconnected nature of modern vehicle production and aftersales operations. With the IT and finance functions moving first, JLR aims to move into full-scale manufacturing in the coming weeks, contingent on supplier readiness and the continued security of its networks. The company has reiterated its commitment to communicating transparently with suppliers and customers as the recovery progresses. In the near term, the priority remains delivering cash flow and restoring confidence among partners who were notably affected by the shutdown, while ensuring that precautionary cyber-security measures stay in place to prevent a relapse into a repeat disruption.