JLR Reports Sales Rebound Post-Cyber Attack Despite Lingering Challenges

Jaguar Land Rover (JLR), the UK's largest car manufacturer, has reported a substantial upturn in sales for the three months ending 31st March, following the restoration of production levels after a significant cyber attack. The firm sold 95,300 vehicles to dealers, marking a 61.1% increase quarter-on-quarter, with retail sales also rising by 16.2% to 92,700 vehicles.

The cyber attack, which commenced on 1st September, led to a five-week halt in production at JLR's Solihull, Halewood, and Wolverhampton plants. Production is now stated to be at "normal levels"; however, a recent temporary pause in Solihull was necessitated by a supplier-related parts issue.

Despite the recent quarterly growth, both retail and dealer sales remain lower compared to the same period last year. This downturn is attributed to the impact of US tariffs, persistent market challenges in China, and the planned discontinuation of older Jaguar models. Retail sales saw a 14.3% year-on-year decrease, whilst dealer sales were down 14.5%, including a notable 23.1% drop within the UK. In China, sales plummeted by 29.8% amid ongoing market struggles.