Tata-owned JLR shipping parts in suitcases as supply chains in China hit by coronavirus outbreak

Tata Motors-owned Jaguar Land Rover has flown in auto parts in suitcases as the effects of coronavirus take a toll on the luxury carmaker's supply chains in coronavirus-hit China.

The company on Tuesday warned that its production schedules in the UK as well as India are under strain due to its supply chains in China, known as 'the world's factory'.

The virus has killed over 2,000 people in China sparking a shutdown that has seen factories close across the country.

JLR CEO Ralf Speth said the company has enough supplies to ensure production for the next two weeks, but from the third week onwards it remains risky and could even mean plant closures.

"We have flown parts in suitcases just to make sure we have all the parts but for the third week, we still have parts missing," said Speth.

JLR is the UK's biggest carmaker with three factories across the country that produce nearly 400,000 vehicles a year.

Tata Motors CEO and Managing Director Guenter Butschek, in the UK for the official ...