Production outside the United Kingdom is not ruled out for McLaren. A few weeks after Lotus considered leaving its historic site in Hethel, the new CEO of the British supercar manufacturer, Nick Collins, hinted that although Woking would remain the historic heart of the brand, building vehicles abroad was a possibility if it proved relevant.
Strategy and Restructuring at McLaren
Met during Monterey Car Week, Nick Collins now leads McLaren Automotive as well as McLaren Group Holdings, following the merger with the electric startup Forseven and a restructuring that resulted in the elimination of approximately 500 jobs. Faced with excess inventory at dealerships, the first decision was to voluntarily reduce production volumes to realign supply with demand and preserve the residual value of the vehicles.
Woking, the Preserved Geographic Soul
Despite these changes, one constant remains: the manufacturing of supercars will continue at the “spiritual headquarters of the company,” the McLaren Technology and Production Centers in Woking. Collins stated that this site would remain the operational base “for a very, very long period.” The goal is to maintain an optimal level of production there, ensuring world-class quality without compromise.
What Future for Production Abroad?
The CEO indicated, without going into details, that “some things might make sense to be built in other locations,” depending on Woking’s optimal capacities. The central question now is which models might be affected. The mythical SUV discussed for years seems to be the most obvious candidate, as do future fully electric models, an area where Forseven’s expertise could be leveraged.