UK Aug car output falls as sector eyes impact of JLR cyber attack

(Sharecast News) - UK vehicle production fell 18.2% in August, according to data published on Thursday, with the industry now awaiting the impact of the cyberattack that has shut Jaguar Land Rover's plants until at least the start of October. Car and commercial vehicle production fell to 38,693 units in August, a traditionally low-volume month due to planned summer maintenance, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) said in a statement.

The outage at JLR, which produces about 1,000 cars a day across three UK factories, has also hit the supply chain.

"The focus is now on September's performance, and the likely impact of the cyberattack at Britain's biggest automotive employer... SMMT is engaged with members and the government to understand what additional supportive measures may be needed," the SMMT added.

JLR on Tuesday said it would extend the closure of its factories until October 1, bringing the total shutdown to four weeks after a cyberattack in early September halted all production.

Despite the decline in overall output, electric car production surged by 40.9%, with hybrid, plug-in hybrid and battery electric vehicles (BEVs) making up nearly half of units produced in August.

Reporting by Frank Prenesti for Sharecast.com