In August, Jaguar Land Rover’s (JLR) main factory in Halewood suffered a cyberattack that led to the shutdown of all the manufacturer’s production sites in the United Kingdom (UK) — a situation that lasted almost two months and could have significant consequences.
The Cyber Monitoring Centre, an independent non-profit organisation, estimates that the hacking attack on JLR, owned by Tata Motors, caused a cost of 1.9 billion pounds (around 2.55 billion dollars) and affected more than 5,000 organisations in the UK.
The body describes it as “the most economically damaging cyber event in the country’s history.“
The impact on the manufacturer was immediate: JLR halted production for nearly six weeks.
Indeed, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), vehicle production fell by 35.9% in September compared with the previous year, with the hacking attack being a key factor.
JLR’s central role in the UK industrial network explains the spread of the damage.
The manufacturer operates three factories across Britain, which together produce around 1,000 vehicles daily, and it is the country’s largest automotive employer.
But what are the other potential consequences?
Expert Ilia Kolochenko, CEO of ImmuniWeb and a member of the British Computer Society (BCS), shared his perspective with Mobility Portal.
Kolochenko believes the reported losses “may only represent a fraction of the total damage,” as they “reflect losses already incurred and foreseeable.”
He also warns that the potential theft of trade secrets and their exploitation by competitors in “hostile states” could escalate costs over the long term.
“That scenario could even result in JLR’s bankruptcy amid economic uncertainty and a possible financial crisis,” he asserts.
While hypothetical, this scenario serves as a warning about the cyber exposure of traditional manufacturers during the ongoing transition to zero- and low-emission vehicles.
How to prevent a “cyber disaster”
“What is even more alarming is a catastrophic scenario: hackers from a hostile nation-state simultaneously attack 20 or 30 UK companies of similar size and national significance to JLR, including critical national infrastructure suppliers,” continues the CEO of ImmuniWeb.
The expert acknowledges that this could leave the entire country without internet, or even without water or electricity for a time, “not to mention a severe economic crisis and a possible collapse of the UK stock market.”
“Therefore, nationally important companies should be proactively audited by government agencies, establishing cybersecurity and data protection compliance standards higher than those currently imposed,” Kolochenko emphasises.
The executive cites as examples the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) or even the forthcoming Cybersecurity and Resilience Bill.
“Otherwise, one day, a cyber disaster could become reality,” he laments.
Consequences: Decline in vehicle production
Almost half (47.8%) of the vehicles manufactured during the month were electric, plug-in hybrid, or hybrid, marking a 14.7% increase in volume to 24,445 units.
However, total car production for the UK market fell by 34.1%, to 12,269 units, while exports declined by 24.5%.
A total of 38,821 vehicles were produced for international markets, representing 76.0% of total output, with the EU, USA, Turkey, Japan, and South Korea being the five main destinations.
Meanwhile, commercial vehicle (CV) production fell for the sixth consecutive month, down 77.9% to 3,229 units, driven by the consolidation of operations by a leading manufacturer.
As a result, combined production of cars and vans dropped by 35.9% in September, to 54,319 units.
About JLR and its electrification strategy
Jaguar Land Rover remains steadfast in its pursuit of an all-electric future, guided by a clear and ambitious roadmap towards decarbonisation and innovation.
By 2026, Jaguar will launch its first fully electric model.
By 2030, every JLR brand will offer at least one battery electric vehicle (BEV) variant, ensuring a comprehensive shift across the portfolio.
By 2039, JLR aims to achieve net zero carbon.
The company continues to invest heavily in transforming its industrial footprint.
The Halewood plant in Merseyside will become JLR’s first fully electric manufacturing facility, while the Solihull site in the West Midlands will produce electric versions of the Range Rover, Range Rover Sport, and Jaguar models.
“Electrification requires a pragmatic and forward-thinking approach as a business. We are moving towards an electric future across all our brands, with plug-in hybrids serving as an important stepping stone,” says Thomas Müller, Executive Director of Engineering.
“Before the end of the decade, Range Rover, Discovery, and Defender will each offer fully electric options, while Jaguar will become entirely electric,” he adds.
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