Jaguar Land Rover enters its third week of a global production freeze as it battles to restore computer systems following a cyberattack.
And while the automaker is suffering an estimated £5 million ($6.76 million) financial loss with each passing day, its key suppliers warn they are facing potential bankruptcy, experts tell the BBC.
JLR’s staff in the U.K. are told not to expect a return to work until this Wednesday at the earliest.
Following the attack on Sept. 1, the automaker responded with an immediate shutdown of all its IT services, forcing the stoppage of all production at all its global vehicle plants.
Vehicle assembly lines, parts supply chains and staff shift allocations are all highly automated and so these are now at a complete standstill.
However, the knock-on effect for suppliers is potentially catastrophic as supply companies see their cash flow disappear, says Shaun Adams, managing director at Qualplast. The flock coating company applies tiny fibers to surfaces to give them a soft, velvety texture used for cabin parts such as glove boxes, armrests and door pockets.
“We have other work that we can move people onto in the short term but if this starts progressing over weeks, then we would have to seriously look at what we need to future-proof,” Adams tells the broadcaster.