Never a dull moment at McLaren Automotive. It doesn’t seem that long ago we were talking about Bahraini money controlling the company, but now its takeover by Abu Dhabi-based CYVN Holdings has been confirmed. It already had a non-controlling stake in McLaren Racing, as well as ownership of the Forseven EV startup in the UK, which has been on a three year ‘stealth mission’ to recruit the best talent around. The combined McLaren Automotive/Forseven company will be McLaren Group Holdings, with a grand ambition: ‘to redefine the high-performance and luxury sectors, set a new benchmark for excellence, and transform McLaren into a high-performing British automotive business on the global stage.’ Nothing if not bold.
They’ll move fast, too, with details of new McLarens coming as soon as later this year. It won’t be another special edition or Longtail, either, but rather an expansion and diversification into ‘new product categories’ (in other words, an SUV). Assisting McLaren in that broadening of the portfolio, presumably, will be the other companies owned by or invested in by CYVN: it acquired Gordon Murray Technologies in 2023 to accelerate its ‘engineering and lightweight expertise’, while a ‘strategic investment’ in NIO - maker of the EP9 that recorded a 6:45 ‘ring lap - will help on the electrification side. If Ferrari is going to make a light, innovative, daring EV, then it’s only right for Mclaren, in one form or another, to follow suit.
The plan for McLaren Group Holdings is more than just the product, too. Because the cars, in truth, have broadly been very good for a while now, but there are plans afoot to ‘enhance customer experience and continue strengthening our global supplier and dealer relationships.’ When spending McLaren money, it’s surely as much about the buying experience and aftersales as the car itself, and it’s probably one of the areas the brand hasn’t quite delivered on yet.
Nick Collins will be CEO of McLaren Group Holdings. He’s already headed up Forseven from the start of 2024, with years spent at JLR and Ford also. A lot of experience, basically. He said of the new company: “With the support and ambitions of our shareholder, we have a unique opportunity to sustainably grow McLaren into a world-beating company. The combination of what McLaren has achieved, and what Forseven has built in a short time is incredibly complementary. Together, we believe McLaren can be more, can do more and can offer more.” Sounds like exciting times ahead, then. More to follow later in 2025.
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