UK car production hit by JLR cyber attack; workers’ access to cars at risk

A major cyber attack at Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) disrupted production at Britain’s biggest carmaker for several days, contributing to a sharp 27.1% fall in UK car production in September to just 51,090 vehicles, according to new figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

Almost half (47.8%) of the cars built in September were electric or hybrid models, and this is likely because JLR weren’t making the petrol and diesel cars it normally would. But overall car production was down, with combined car and van output falling 35.9%, the SMMT figures found.

“The cyber attack at JLR caused a total loss of production, and while things are improving, UK car factories are under real pressure,” said Mike Hawes, SMMT’s chief executive.

Philipp Sayler von Amende, chief commercial officer at Carwow, added: “September’s drop is concerning, especially in what’s usually a busy month for car sales. Between factory closures, cyber attacks, and potential supply chain issues, UK carmakers are facing several headwinds.”

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The production slowdown comes as the industry warns of the government’s plans to end Employee Car Ownership Schemes (ECOS), which allows employees to buy the cars they make at discounted prices. This could hit workers hard as new rules could make these vehicles subject to company car tax, putting them out of reach for many workers.

SMMT analysis shows that up to 60,000 automotive workers across the country could be affected. Losing access to affordable company cars would make commuting harder, particularly in areas with poor public transport, and could limit flexible shift work. These changes could also make it harder to recruit people into a sector already suffering a skills shortage.

“Scrapping ECOS now risks hitting the very employees who keep the industry running and threatens thousands of jobs,” Hawes said.

The wider impact of this drop is also worrying. Fewer new cars are being sold, which in turn affects the nearly new and used car markets and could lead to a potential £1bn loss in revenue, putting 5,000 manufacturing jobs at risk.

With nearly half of UK car production now electric or hybrid, petrol and diesel models may see supply squeeze sooner than EVs. The industry is calling on the government to protect ECOS schemes, support energy costs, and strengthen supply chains to keep production and jobs on track.

But why does this matter to you? Fewer new cars may be available to buy, popular models could have longer waiting times, and prices for both new and used cars may rise. So this production slowdown is something to be mindful of if you want to buy a new car.

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