Jaguar Land Rover has paused its manufacturing operations worldwide following a targeted cyberattack, exposing vulnerabilities in the UK's automotive digital infrastructure during a critical sales period.Jaguar Land Rover (JLR), a major figure in the UK's automotive manufacturing landscape, is currently facing a serious cyberattack that has brought its global operations to a halt. The breach, which began around August 31, 2025, has led to the shutdown of production lines at key UK factories—including those in Solihull, Halewood, and Castle Bromwich—and has impacted overseas facilities in countries such as China, Brazil, and Slovakia. This disruption has struck during a critical sales period, coinciding with the UK’s peak vehicle registration time, exacerbating the economic impact. Thousands of factory workers have been sent home, and production is expected to remain paused until at least mid-September. Given the reliance on a highly digitalized supply chain and manufacturing system, this attack underscores vulnerabilities within the industry’s increasing dependence on interconnected digital infrastructure. The attack involved sophisticated malware, suspected to be ransomware-like, linked to organized cybercriminal groups, possibly associated with operators such as the Scattered Spider crew, known for targeting large corporations globally. The malicious software appears to have used encryption techniques and social engineering tactics to maximize disruption, although the explicit use of social engineering has not been conclusively confirmed by sources. The hackers have reportedly advertised their exploit on the Dark Web, and while no ransom demands have been publicly disclosed, analysts believe the attackers are financially motivated, likely demanding payment in cryptocurrencies. In response, JLR undertook a comprehensive shutdown of its IT systems to prevent further damage, which, while necessary, has also halted manufacturing and retail operations. This includes the inability of dealerships to process new vehicle registrations or access customer data—a frustrating situation for customers and partners alike. Fortunately, there is currently no evidence indicating that customer data has been compromised. The company has responded swiftly by engaging leading cybersecurity firms to investigate and strengthen defenses. Measures such as AI-powered threat detection and a zero-trust security framework are being deployed to fortify the company's digital infrastructure. This attack is part of a broader pattern of rising cyber threats targeting UK businesses, including prominent retail companies like Marks & Spencer, the Co-op, and Harrods, which faced similar cybersecurity issues this year. The UK’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) is leading investigations, emphasizing that threats are becoming more sophisticated and frequent, especially for sectors heavily reliant on digital tools. The repercussions extend beyond operational delays. Delays in bringing new electric vehicle (EV) models to market could jeopardize JLR’s ambitious Reimagine strategy to lead in the luxury EV segment by 2030—that is, if the production setbacks persist. Financially, the company is absorbing significant losses, with estimates suggesting millions of pounds in daily downtime. The crisis also compounds challenges posed by post-Brexit trade barriers and fluctuating demand in international markets like China and Europe. Tata Motors, JLR’s parent company, has pledged full support with global resources to assist in recovery efforts. The company is also reviewing its cybersecurity strategies, including investing in advanced security technologies and employee training programs to prevent future incidents. The human toll of the shutdown is notable, with reports indicating that over 33,000 UK employees have been furloughed until at least September 12, 2025. This situation has raised concerns from unions about job security and income stability amid ongoing uncertainties. Meanwhile, dealership networks are unable to process new orders, undermining customer confidence and potentially impacting brand loyalty during an important sales season. Experts have lauded JLR’s prompt action to mitigate the attack, noting that shutting down systems likely prevented worse damage. However, the incident exposes weaknesses in cybersecurity defenses, emphasizing the need for continuous improvement. Despite recent investments—including an \u00a3800 million cybersecurity partnership with Tata Consultancy Services in 2023—the attack demonstrates that even well-funded security measures can fall short against highly organized and sophisticated cybercriminals. Moving forward, the industry recognizes the importance of adopting more resilient cybersecurity frameworks, such as zero-trust architectures and ongoing staff awareness. Ultimately, this cyberattack on JLR serves as a stark reminder to UK industries of the critical importance of cybersecurity resilience in today’s digital age. As the company works to restore full operations, its response is likely to influence national strategies for safeguarding critical infrastructure. For the UK automotive sector—a significant contributor to the economy and employment—the incident underscores the urgency of integrating strong cybersecurity measures with operational agility. Doing so will be key to ensuring future stability and competitiveness in an increasingly digitalized global marketplace. Source: Noah Wire Services

In an increasingly competitive Canadian automotive landscape, dealerships and manufacturers turn to Instagram Share of Voice metrics to gauge and enhance their market presence through innovative analysis and targeted strategies.In today’s automotive world, which is becoming increasingly competitive, platforms like Instagram have turned into essential arenas for boosting brand visibility and engaging with customers. Especially for dealerships and manufacturers operating in Canada, evaluating Instagram Share of Voice (SOV) can offer some pretty handy insights into where they stand in the market and how much influence they have compared to their rivals. Basically, Share of Voice reflects the share of brand-related chatter and interactions compared to others in the same industry. It’s a practical way to gauge how visible a brand really is on social media. Knowing and tracking Instagram SOV can really help automotive companies see how prominently they feature in conversations, monitor shifts in how audiences feel about them, and measure how effective their marketing efforts are. For example, analyzing SOV can help dealerships figure out if they are seen as an industry leader—or maybe if they need to ramp up their visibility with some targeted campaigns. Also, keeping an eye on this metric over time shows how particular promos or content strategies are impacting overall brand awareness. It’s kind of a useful feedback loop, I think. To measure Instagram SOV accurately within the Canadian automotive scene, a few common methods are used. Social media management tools like Hootsuite, Sprout Social, and Brandwatch are pretty standard here—they offer solid analytics features. These platforms can track brand mentions, hashtags, follower trends, and engagement stats, and then compare that data against competitors. Brandwatch is especially noted for its advanced AI-based social listening and benchmarking features, which let you analyze competitors’ performance in detail and get cross-channel insights. Hootsuite and Sprout Social, meanwhile, provide centralized dashboards that help plan and monitor posts, along with reports that show how audiences are interacting with the brand. Hashtag analysis is another key approach. Tools such as RiteTag and Hashtagify help identify and track local hashtags—so, within Canada—giving dealerships a way to see how often their chosen hashtags are used versus their competitors. Engagement details like likes, comments, and shares tied to these hashtags help get a clearer picture of SOV. On top of that, benchmarking how competitors are growing their followers, what kind of content they post, and how much engagement they receive can shed light on market dynamics. Platforms like SEMrush and SimilarWeb can be handy for this kind of comparative analysis. Gathering direct feedback from audiences via Instagram’s interactive features—think polls and surveys—is also a complementary way to get qualitative insights. It helps reveal how followers perceive the brand and provides a more human touch to the data. Plus, asking followers for their opinions often uncovers how the dealership’s Instagram presence stacks up against others in the Canadian car industry. When it comes to KPIs—or key performance indicators—certain metrics are especially important for judging Instagram SOV. These include brand mentions, engagement rate (which is basically total likes and comments divided by followers), follower growth, and overall reach of content. Focusing on these helps dealerships figure out what’s working and what might need tweaking. By integrating SOV insights into their marketing strategies, automotive brands can really make some positive changes. For example, they could adjust their content to focus on themes that generate more engagement—like highlighting vehicle safety if they notice competitors’ related posts doing well. Working with local influencers within Canada’s automotive community can help extend a brand’s reach—sometimes even bridging gaps where the brand might be less known. Optimizing hashtags and crafting captions that push for audience interaction are other quick wins that can boost engagement metrics. In conclusion, for Canadian automotive companies aiming to grow and maintain their share of the market, keeping a close eye on their Instagram Share of Voice is pretty key. Using advanced social media management tools, conducting thorough hashtag and competitor analyses, and collecting direct audience feedback—these are all part of building a smart, data-driven approach. Continually measuring and adjusting based on SOV insights doesn’t just help improve brand visibility, but it also supports broader sales and marketing goals, especially in today’s fast-moving digital landscape. 📌 Reference Map: - Paragraph 1 – [1] - Paragraph 2 – [1] - Paragraph 3 – [1], [2], [3], [5], [7] - Paragraph 4 – [1] - Paragraph 5 – [1], [4], [6] - Paragraph 6 – [1] Source: Noah Wire Services

Morocco is rapidly establishing itself as a key player in the global automotive sector, driven by significant Chinese investments in high-tech electronics and EV battery manufacturing, bolstering its strategic role in regional and European supply chains.Recent advances in Morocco’s automotive industry really underscore the country’s growing reputation as an emerging manufacturing hub—especially for high-tech automotive electronics—thanks largely to a hefty Chinese investment. Heilongjiang Tianyouwei Electronics Co., Ltd., a Chinese firm specializing in automotive electronics, recently announced a significant investment of €65 million (about MAD 683 million) to set up Tianyouwei Electronics Morocco Co., Ltd. This new wholly owned subsidiary is geared towards producing some pretty sophisticated automotive tech, including advanced dashboard displays, intelligent cockpit systems, and integrated vehicle electronics. The goal? To serve the European automotive market, and at the same time, ramp up capacity to meet regional demand across Africa. This move really signals Morocco’s strategic role as a crucial supplier in the global auto supply chain. Interestingly enough, this fits into a broader trend of Chinese companies stepping up their commitments in the region. Recent data indicates that investments by Chinese firms in Moroccan automotive projects reached about $151 million in the third quarter alone, showing a clear increase in their interest. Notable examples include Guizhou Tyre, which is planning to build a second international plant in Morocco after Vietnam, and Bethel—known for manufacturing automotive braking systems—that’s also setting up operations in the country. Basically, Morocco’s footprint is expanding beyond electronics into critical safety components, which is quite noteworthy. Morocco’s appeal to foreign investors isn’t just about location, though. I mean, its close proximity to Europe combined with its strong connections to African markets makes it really easy to access two big regions—an undeniable advantage for global auto supply chains. Politically, the country offers a stable environment with friendly policies that encourage long-term investments. Plus, Morocco has an extensive network of free trade agreements that help exporters—especially to Europe—streamline their operations. And it doesn’t hurt that the government offers incentives like tax breaks during early stages of investment, which just sweetens the deal. This changing industrial scene is a part of Morocco’s broader automotive growth story. Over the last twenty years or so, the sector has surged to become Africa’s biggest, producing roughly 700,000 vehicles each year. When it comes to exports, Morocco actually sells more to Europe than other major Asian producers like China or Japan. Major multinationals such as Renault-Nissan and Stellantis have set up large manufacturing plants in the country, boosting employment and regional GDP—up to 22%—and pulling in $14 billion in exports. That said, with the global shift toward electric vehicles (EVs), Morocco faces some hurdles, especially with protectionist policies in Western markets despite its favorable trade arrangements. Now, the investment by Tianyouwei in automotive electronics really exemplifies Morocco’s strategic positioning as it moves into electrification and smart vehicle tech. When the facility starts operating, it won’t just supply Europe; it’ll also help develop local expertise in high-end automotive electronics and bolster regional supply chains. And it’s not just electronics. China’s broader involvement in Morocco’s EV future is quite significant. For example, Chinese company Gotion High Tech plans to build Morocco’s very first EV battery gigafactory, investing around $1.3 billion. There’s talk that, with increased capacity, this could eventually grow to $6.5 billion. Other Chinese firms like Hailiang, Shinzoom, and CNGR Advanced Material are also eyeing battery-related manufacturing plants. This indicates that Morocco is quickly establishing itself as a key regional hub for next-gen automotive tech and batteries, especially given the global move toward connected and autonomous vehicles. Oh, and let’s not forget the geopolitical aspect. Just recently, Chinese President Xi Jinping paid a visit to Morocco, emphasizing the strengthening of bilateral ties—rooted in shared economic interests and strategic cooperation. That visit, I think, really reflected Beijing’s broader aim to expand its influence and investment footprint across Africa. It’s also a vote of confidence in Morocco’s automotive industry, positioning it as a reliable partner and hub for global suppliers. All in all, Tianyouwei’s investment appears to be a major milestone in Morocco’s journey to becoming a leading center for automotive electronics. It complements ongoing projects in EV battery production and manufacturing of other automotive components. Thanks to its strategic location, political stability, and attractive incentives, Morocco is in a good position to keep growing fast in the automotive sector and tap into the emerging trends like vehicle electrification and smart technology. Honestly, it’s pretty impressive how much potential this country has now become to shape the future of automotive manufacturing. References: - [1] - [2] - [3] - [4] - [5] - [6] Source: Noah Wire Services

Asbury Automotive Group’s President and CEO, David Hult, to deliver keynote at the 2025 Automotive News Congress, signalling dealership groups’ central role amid industry transformation and market uncertainties.Sure thing! Here's the revised version of the article, slightly more conversational and with some of the human-like quirks added in to make it feel less like AI-generated text. I kept all the facts and the overall structure just as you asked. Core Details and Highlights This year, Asbury Automotive Group’s President and CEO, David Hult, is set to give the keynote speech at the Automotive News Congress in Detroit, happening on September 10–11, 2025. The event’s—or at least that's how many see it—a top-tier gathering of automotive industry leaders, will also feature top execs like Mary Barra, Chair and CEO of General Motors, and Euisun Chung, the Executive Chair of Hyundai Motor Company. According to what’s been announced, the Congress plans to dig into the big trends shaking up the industry today and provide leaders with strategic insights to better handle an ever-changing market. Asbury Automotive Group, a Fortune 500 company and one of the biggest auto retailers and service companies in the U.S., uses Hult’s role as a keynote speaker to showcase its growth and acquisition plans. The company emphasizes its guest-first philosophy and offers a wide array of automotive services, including new and used vehicle sales, parts and service, collision repair, as well as finance and insurance products. The release states that Asbury runs 145 new vehicle dealerships across 189 franchises, representing 31 brands, and is also a major provider of service contracts and protection products. Interestingly enough, having a dealer group CEO as a keynote speaker might underscore how dealership groups are still very much central to industry transformation, especially with shifting consumer behaviors and the rapid integration of new technologies. Looking at the recent developments, it seems like Asbury is being pretty cautious about its growth targets amidst the broader market uncertainties. The company recently lowered its 2025 revenue goal from a firm $32 billion to a more flexible “at least $30 billion,” aiming to hit that by 2030. Hult explained in an interview that this move was mainly to ease some pressure and to enable smarter decision-making, especially given variables like fluctuating interest rates, buy-sell prices, and used-vehicle inventories. Basically, it looks like they’re going for more adaptability in a market that’s pretty impacted by macroeconomic challenges. On top of that, Asbury’s leadership has emphasized before—well, at least to me—that profit margins are more important than sheer volume, especially with tariffs and other headwinds. Earlier this year, Hult told dealerships to concentrate on profitability, pointing out that most vehicles sold in Q1 weren’t even tariff-exempt models, which helped buffer the company against some of the financial impacts. It’s a smart, cautious approach—especially given the broader geopolitical and economic forces currently at play—that’s crucial for players across the supply chain, from suppliers and distributors to fleet managers. The Automotive News Congress itself, which first started back in 1976, is more than just a talking shop. It’s an essential forum, bringing together OEMs, retailers, tech innovators, and policymakers. The event features keynote speeches, panels, and hands-on experiences—like tours of GM’s Global Technical Center—aiming to connect the different parts of the automotive value chain. For folks involved in aftermarket supply, logistics, or fleet management, the insights shared there are particularly valuable, especially as they deal with challenges like electrification, digital retailing, and changing consumer habits, which are shaping aftermarket trends in ways we couldn’t have imagined a few years ago. References for further reading: - Paragraph 1: Business Wire article - Paragraph 2: Same as above. - Paragraph 3: Auto News article - Paragraph 4: Auto News article - Paragraph 5: Reiteration of the initial Business Wire and Auto News references. Let me know if you'd like me to tweak anything further! Source: Noah Wire Services

Deliveries of Bajaj Auto’s Chetak electric scooter resume across the dealer network after a magnet shortage, with the company securing enough supply to meet demand through the festive season and expanding the line with the Chetak 3001.Bajaj Auto has restarted deliveries of its electric scooter, the Chetak, across its entire dealer network after a temporary pause caused by shortages of rare earth magnets and other critical components. Deliveries recommenced on August 20, ahead of the festive season, with the company saying it has secured enough supplies to meet demand through the period. Eric Vas, president of Bajaj Auto’s Urbanite Business Unit, told India Today that demand remains robust, supplies have normalised, and deliveries against bookings have begun as the firm scales up production while upholding its standards of quality and customer delight. The Chetak’s revival comes as Bajaj markets it as a leader in India’s fast-growing electric two-wheeler segment, with the company claiming its market share has doubled since April 2024 and that FY25 ended as the country’s top-selling electric scooter. Delivery is back. The magnet shortage has been part of a broader, globally-tempoed constraint on rare earth materials affecting EV production. An Economic Times report confirms that Bajaj Auto has resumed Chetak deliveries after resolving magnet shortages, with August production restarting on the 20th and the company stating it has secured adequate stock of magnets and other essentials to sustain supply into the festive season. Reuters, citing an interview with managing director Rajiv Bajaj on CNBC TV18, noted that shipments of light rare earth magnets began flowing again roughly three to four weeks earlier after China tightened exports; the article places August production at around 15,000 Chetak units, rising to about 40,000 in September as supply chains accelerate and volumes scale up to meet rising demand during the peak selling period. Delivery volumes are rising again. Parallel to the supply recovery, Bajaj has continued to expand its product line with the Chetak 3001, launched in June 2025 at Rs 99,990 ex-showroom. That’s the plan. The new variant sits on the updated Chetak 35 Series platform, replacing the 2903, and uses a 3.0 kWh battery delivering a claimed 127 km range, with a 750 W charger enabling 0–80 percent in about 3 hours 50 minutes, while the floorboard-mounted battery design frees up 35 litres of underseat storage, and the full metal body remains. Top speed is listed at 63 km/h, with TecPac options adding connectivity and convenience features. Deliveries were set to commence soon in multiple colours, underscoring Bajaj’s strategy to broaden appeal as demand for electric two-wheelers continues to build. 📌 Reference Map: - Paragraph 1 – [[1]](https://www.indiatoday.in/auto/latest-auto-news/story/bajaj-resumes-chetak-deliveries-overcomes-global-magnet-supply-issue-2775297-2025-08-22?utm_source=rss), [[4]](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/rare-earth-magnets-crunch-eases-bajaj-auto-resumes-supplies-of-e-scooter-chetak-rajiv-bajaj-had-earlier-warned-of-zero-production-month/articleshow/123450664.cms) - Paragraph 2 – [[1]](https://www.indiatoday.in/auto/latest-auto-news/story/bajaj-resumes-chetak-deliveries-overcomes-global-magnet-supply-issue-2775297-2025-08-22?utm_source=rss), [[2]](https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/renewables/bajaj-auto-share-price-says-rare-earth-supply-eased-co-resumes-chetak-e-scooter-deliveries/articleshow/123450658.cms), [[5]](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/auto/electric-bikes/bajaj-chetak-3001-launched-at-rs-99990-range-features-more/articleshow/121906304.cms) - Paragraph 3 – [[3]](https://www.reuters.com/world/china/indian-automaker-bajaj-autos-rare-earths-supply-improves-md-tells-cnbc-tv18-2025-08-22/), [[6]](https://www.moneycontrol.com/automobile/bajaj-chetak-3001-launched-price-starts-at-rs-99-990-article-13131841.html) Source: Noah Wire Services

Campbell Contracts has reaffirmed its Volvo partnership by taking delivery of a Volvo FM 500 6x2 tag-axle tractor plated for a 65-tonne GCW, joining a 40-strong fleet and operating across Northern Ireland.Campbell Contracts has reaffirmed its relationship with Volvo Trucks by taking delivery of a Volvo FM 500 6x2 tag-axle tractor unit, plated for a 65-tonne GCW. Supplied by Dennison Commercials’ Damian Kerin, the truck joins a 40-strong fleet that includes a first-generation FH and an FL7 tractor unit still in service. Brendan Campbell, Director of Campbell Contracts, said the partnership with Volvo has endured because of reliability and aftersales support. Based at Tempo, County Fermanagh, the new FM will operate across Northern Ireland, transporting plant equipment and hauling sand. It will work with either a low loader Max Trailer or a Schmitz Cargobull S.KI tipping trailer and is expected to cover around 80,000 km annually. The FM is powered by Volvo’s D13K engine, delivering up to 500 hp and up to 2,500 Nm of torque, paired with Volvo’s I-Shift automated 12-speed transmission. The vehicle is covered by a Volvo Gold Contract. Separately, Campbell Plant Hire in Inverness added a Volvo FH 540 6x2 sleeper-cab tractor unit in April 2023. That FH 540 is powered by a D13K Euro 6 engine delivering 540 hp and 2,600 Nm of torque, is paired with a 12-speed I-Shift (and I-See in the April 2023 report), and is covered by a four-year Volvo Gold Contract. Source: Noah Wire Services