Britain’s car manufacturing output has fallen to its lowest level in more than 70 years following a major cyber attack that crippled Jaguar Land Rover’s (JLR) production for over a month.
According to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), total vehicle production in September plummeted by 35.9%, dropping to just 54,319 units. Car manufacturing alone fell 27.1% to 51,090 vehicles, with the sharp decline attributed almost entirely to JLR’s prolonged shutdown.
The SMMT described the incident as “unprecedented”, noting that other major carmakers reported growth during the same period.
JLR, which is owned by India’s Tata Motors, halted production on 31 August after hackers infiltrated its internal systems. The breach forced the company to suspend operations at key plants in Solihull, West Midlands, and Halewood, Merseyside. Thousands of employees were sent home while the company worked to contain the attack, disrupting suppliers across the UK.
Although limited production has now resumed, industry insiders say JLR is unlikely to return to full capacity until early 2026.
The Cyber Monitoring Centre estimates the financial impact of the attack could reach £2 billion, making it the most costly cyber incident in UK history. Analysts at S&P Global forecast JLR’s revenues could fall by up to 18% this year, with the loss of around 50,000 vehicles. The company’s total sales are now expected to reach £24 billion — £3 billion below previous estimates.
The blow to JLR has dragged down overall UK automotive output for 2025, which is now down 15.2% year-to-date at 582,250 units. The figures underline the sector’s ongoing struggles amid rising production costs, fragile supply chains, and the complex shift towards electric vehicle manufacturing.
Mike Hawes, chief executive of the SMMT, said the latest data “comes as no surprise given the total loss of production at Britain’s biggest automotive employer following a cyber incident.” He urged the government to preserve tax breaks and company car schemes that support fleet renewals and sustain demand.
“The industry needs stability and support,” Hawes said. “Removing these incentives now would cause severe and lasting damage to jobs and competitiveness.”
The attack on JLR has reignited concerns about the vulnerability of Britain’s industrial infrastructure to cyber threats. Security experts warn that as factories become more digitised and interconnected, the potential for large-scale disruption is increasing rapidly.
With JLR still in recovery and the wider sector under pressure to adapt to electric powertrains, industry leaders are calling for a coordinated national effort to strengthen cybersecurity defences across the UK’s manufacturing base.
