McLaren Automotive has announced a £500m investment programme to expand its UK manufacturing, engineering and operations, enabling it to accelerate the development of its next generation of models.
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The investment forms part of a larger commitment from McLaren Automotive shareholder L’IMAD, a sovereign investor of the Government of Abu Dhabi, and reinforces McLaren’s commitment to Britain, where Bruce McLaren founded the company in 1963.
Expanding McLaren Automotive in the UK
The company said the investment will enable McLaren Automotive to expand its production capability, increasing vehicle output to ensure the next generation of McLaren Automotive cars are built in Britain ‘including a newly confirmed performance SUV’. This will be made possible by a new vehicle assembly facility planned in the UK.
For the first time in its history, McLaren Automotive’s future powertrains will be designed and built in-house, starting with two new engines and transmissions. This will support the company’s hybrid engine strategy, building on McLaren Automotive’s use of hybrid technology, which started with the McLaren P1.
McLaren Automotive will also expand operations at the McLaren Production Centre in Woking, Surrey, and its carbon-fibre manufacturing and research facility in South Yorkshire at the McLaren Composites Technology Centre.
The company has recently opened two new UK sites – a design and innovation centre at the McLaren Creation Centre in Bicester, and a testing and vehicle development facility in the Midlands. Together with its Woking headquarters and carbon-fibre facility in South Yorkshire, they form an integrated UK operation, from design through to advanced manufacturing.
New products, skills and jobs
McLaren Automotive says it is building a complete portfolio around the supercar – intentionally and carefully segmented, with the goal of maximising brand value, desirability and client loyalty. The company is entering new categories including plans to launch a performance SUV. The investment will provide the manufacturing capacity, technology and skills required to bring its future portfolio to market.
The company said the programme will create at least 1,000 new direct and indirect jobs across McLaren’s UK operations by 2032, while safeguarding existing roles. McLaren Automotive’s manufacturing workforce is set to double in the UK, supported by new apprenticeships to develop the next generation of talent.
McLaren Automotive’s plans will support the growth of the UK industry. It said up to 3,000 additional jobs are expected to be created across supply chain, bolstering the British automotive sector and boosting exports.
McLaren also said the investment will strengthen McLaren Automotive’s expertise in lightweighting, carbon fibre and advanced manufacturing, while securing critical intellectual property and production capabilities in the UK.
Jassem Al Zaabi, Managing Director and Group Chief Executive Officer of L’IMAD, said: “Over the past 20 months, L’IMAD has worked closely with McLaren Automotive’s management team, supporting the business in sharpening its strategic direction and positioning itself for long-term growth. This investment reflects our confidence in its potential and our commitment to backing the business through its next chapter, building on the heritage, engineering excellence, and distinctive brand that has defined McLaren for more than six decades.”
Nick Collins, Chief Executive Officer of McLaren Group Holdings and McLaren Automotive said: “This investment gives us the platform to grow, develop and build on what makes us distinctive, while investing in the people, technologies and products that will keep us competitive for decades to come.”
Andy Burnham, UK Prime Minister said in a statement: “McLaren Automotive is doubling down on Britain, keeping the design, the engineering and the building of every future car here, and taking on a thousand more people to do it. Their investment will create high-quality apprenticeships, jobs and drive growth far beyond their factory gates. It is how you get skilled work, decent wages and pride back into a place. It’s this kind of partnership between government and business that will help us reindustrialise communities and make every part of Britain better off. I want young people to see that and know there is a future for them in making things, wherever they grew up.”
In a good day for the UK auto industry, the announcement coincides with news of further investment at Nissan’s UK plant.
Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, said: “McLaren’s £500 million investment and creation of 1,000 new jobs is a major boost to the UK and evidence of automotive’s ability to deliver skilled, high value jobs, economic growth and innovation. This commitment strengthens our position as a global leader in high-performance automotive design, engineering and advanced manufacturing, anchoring new products, skills and technologies in Britain. It further underlines the UK automotive sector’s strong fundamentals on which we must build with the right competitive conditions to deliver long-term growth.”
