JLR is preparing to build its first cars in more than a month later this week, as it works to recover from a significant cyber attack that brought all its factories to a halt.
The hack incapacitated the Land Rover maker, forcing it to shut down its internal computer systems in an effort to protect data from being stolen. This resulted in production shutdowns at all of its global plants, created issues with parts ordering and stifled retailers.
The company says "some sections of our manufacturing operations will resume in the coming days", having not produced any vehicles since the attackers hit on 1 September.
It has not given any further details about which factories will restart first, nor what its target volumes will initially be, but said production will restart in a "controlled, phased" manner, suggesting volumes will initially be restricted.
The company earlier said it planned to restart production from 1 October at the earliest.
In a statement sent to Autocar today (29 September), a JLR spokesperson said: "We continue to work around the clock alongside cybersecurity specialists, the UK Government’s NCSC [National Cyber Security Centre] 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.
"We know there is much more to do but the foundational work of our recovery is firmly underway, and we will continue to provide updates as we progress.”
Even if JLR is able to start resuming production on 1 October, getting all its engine and car lines up and running could take months. The firm will have lost at least a full month of vehicle production.
The impact on volumes will be made clear when the company releases its production numbers for the quarter, but in the three months to the end of September last year, it produced more than 80,000 cars.
The effect could be costing JLR up to £5 million a day, business economics professor David Bailey has told Autocar.
The restart comes after the UK government said it will guarantee a £1.5 billion loan to JLR, to help it support suppliers who have been hit by the production shutdown.
The loan to the Tata-owned car firm will be issued by a commercial bank, but will be underwritten by the UK government.
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You'd think with the heading that JLR cars were the best on the planet, it just shows how a few people with a computer can screw up a global company for as long as they wish.
At the end of last year, long before Mr Trump introduced his tariffs, the EU imposed a 20% import duty on imported cars from China, the argument being unfair competition because the Chinese gov subsidised their car industry.
So the question is, should the EU now impose a 20% import duty on JLR cars?
A loan needing to be paid back (backed by the government) is very different to companies partially owned by the government and heavily subsidised by the government!
If ifs and buts were candy and nuts, we'd all have a Merry Christmas
The company is being supported by the British taxpayer. According to the account sheet, JLR is supposed to be well in to the red. Why do they need government assistance?
I'd 100% back the taxpayer to assist those 3rd party companies who thru no fault of their own, find themselves in a difficult position, but giving the money to JLR?
I'm not saying what China is doing is wrong, I'm just saying why one rule for them and another for JLR?
Imagine making such an ill-consiodered comment, failing to realise their most popular, highest margin vehicles are MADE IN THE EU (Slovakia).
Hilarious
Tell us what part of the 'British supply chain' you don't understand and we'll try to explain.
What does it matter about most popular? or highest margin? You're taking a comment out of context to suit your own mindset.