JLR shutdown extended as ministers meet suppliers

Jaguar Land Rover said production at its UK factories will remain suspended until at least Oct. 1, extending a shutdown that began after a cyberattack in late August. The extension comes as ministers prepare to meet suppliers at risk of closure to shore up the beleaguered car maker's supply chain and prevent wider disruption in the region.

The plants affected include Solihull, Halewood and Wolverhampton, with JLR previously signaling that production would resume on Sept. 24. The stoppage has rippled through the company and its suppliers, prompting a government-led effort to reassure firms in the chain that continues to face financial strain as orders sit idle and staff wages tighten.

Business Secretary Peter Kyle will visit JLR for the first time since the attack to meet with the company and firms in the supply chain. Industry Minister Chris McDonald will join him to host companies in the supply chain, listen to workers, and discuss how the government can help get production back online. In a statement, the government said the priorities are to help Jaguar Land Rover get back up and running as soon as possible and to safeguard the long-term health of the supply chain. Kyle and McDonald underscored that they are aware of the difficulties the stoppage is causing for suppliers and their staff and that the government will act to reassure the sector that it is on their side.

The suppliers are anxious to be heard. Johnathan Dudley, head of manufacturing for Crowe UK, which advises Midlands-based firms, said companies are being cautious to avoid panic and avoid casting blame up the line, but that there is a clear call for help. “Obviously, they're being very, very cautious because they don't want to create panic, and equally, they don't want to be seen to be criticising people further up the chain,” he said. “It's not a blame game, but it is a cry for help, because there are businesses now seeing people not paying [staff].” Dudley added that the region, anchored by the Solihull and Wolverhampton plants, is watching the situation closely as the clock ticks toward any potential sustainability concerns for suppliers.

Analysts have attributed a heavy toll to the stoppage. Prof. David Bailey, a professor of business economics at the University of Birmingham, estimated that the halt in production has already shaved roughly £120 million from profits and resulted in about £1.7 billion in lost revenue for JLR. While the company has taken the lead on supporting its supply chain, there has been no indication of direct state intervention to subsidize or reorganize the supplier network as of now. The government has emphasized that the aim is to restore production while protecting jobs and the broader health of the UK auto ecosystem.

The pause underscores the fragility of modern manufacturing ecosystems that rely on tightly linked suppliers operating across hundreds of miles. In the West Midlands, where JLR has important manufacturing footprints, the interruption has amplified concerns about regional employment and the resilience of critical industries in the event of cyber disruptions. Officials have sought to balance swift action with a measured, transparent approach to avoid triggering further instability among suppliers who must decide on payrolls, inventory, and investment decisions during an ongoing recovery period.

JLR has said it remains committed to resuming production as quickly as possible while prioritizing the continuity of its customers, suppliers, employees, and retailers who continue to operate. The company’s public statements emphasize that the focus remains on stabilizing its operations in the near term and protecting stakeholders across the chain, including those firms most immediately at risk of closure if production does not resume on a secure and predictable timetable. As ministers meet with industry representatives and company leadership, observers will be watching for signs of a coordinated approach that could lessen the duration of the shutdown and bolster the long-term viability of the supply network.

For now, JLR’s leadership, coupled with government representatives and supplier partners, is pursuing a two-pronged objective: reopening production at the earliest feasible date and strengthening the supply chain against future shocks. Officials say the government’s engagement signals a sustained commitment to a rapid, orderly restart, while ensuring firms in the network have a clear, reliable path to financial and operational stability. The outcome of these discussions could shape the pace of recovery for JLR and for the broader auto sector that depends on its output in the coming months.