New McLaren Group Holdings created by merger
CYVN Holdings has officially bought McLaren and combined it with Forseven for a 'world-beating British business'
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.
On the contrary, I get the impression things are on the up at McLaren. As the article says (surprisingly given the usual negativity), the cars have been very good for a while now. They just need to win the media over who live giving them a constant kicking.
F1 wins and a generation of DTS fans will only help build the brand into the near future.
On the contrary, I get the impression things are on the up at McLaren. As the article says (surprisingly given the usual negativity), the cars have been very good for a while now. They just need to win the media over who live giving them a constant kicking.
F1 wins and a generation of DTS fans will only help build the brand into the near future.
There are a lot of Chinese car makers that won't see the end of the decade though some who will clearly dominate the next.
On the contrary, I get the impression things are on the up at McLaren. As the article says (surprisingly given the usual negativity), the cars have been very good for a while now. They just need to win the media over who live giving them a constant kicking.
F1 wins and a generation of DTS fans will only help build the brand into the near future.
There are a lot of Chinese car makers that won't see the end of the decade though some who will clearly dominate the next.
To be clear, I’m not saying the Renaults aren’t incredibly good cars. I just don’t know if they stand a chance given the high development and manufacturing costs. Look at NIOs sub brand Onvo for example. A Model Y sized single motor suv with 350 miles of range and 300kW plus charging is £25k in China (or about £17k if you rent the battery). How can Europe really compete?
Whilst Mumtalakat where wealthy they are in comparison to CYVN/Abu Dhabi Investment Authority positively peasants. Having owners with much deeper pockets is a positive move to give McLaren space to turn around profitability. The product appears strong now they need sell more at a higher price.
The bit that leaves a question mark for me is the powerhouse is product development, and they've brought that as their USP to the McLaren merger. McLaren's woes weren't (and aren't) product development, it is the commercial side of the business.
So I genuinely hope they do well (despite technically being a competitor) as there are some very dedicated, competent and passionate people behind this venture, but I worry they are strong in areas which don't fix the broken fundamentals.
As a very basic but often overlooked factor - distribution and dealer network plan. Guess why Porsche sell the number of cars they do vs Lotus... not all is explained by the badge.
On the contrary, I get the impression things are on the up at McLaren. As the article says (surprisingly given the usual negativity), the cars have been very good for a while now. They just need to win the media over who live giving them a constant kicking.
F1 wins and a generation of DTS fans will only help build the brand into the near future.
On the contrary, I get the impression things are on the up at McLaren. As the article says (surprisingly given the usual negativity), the cars have been very good for a while now. They just need to win the media over who live giving them a constant kicking.
F1 wins and a generation of DTS fans will only help build the brand into the near future.
Customers, on the other hand…
On the contrary, I get the impression things are on the up at McLaren. As the article says (surprisingly given the usual negativity), the cars have been very good for a while now. They just need to win the media over who live giving them a constant kicking.
F1 wins and a generation of DTS fans will only help build the brand into the near future.
Customers, on the other hand…
The good thing is the numbers made, or lack of them, compare to other brands.
On auto trader, post 2012 registrations, 270 mclarens, 643 ferrari's, 481 Lamborghini's. Thats got to help in the long term given the massive volume of others.
As has been noted, constant positive reviews.
I they start looking for some new markets and even bring out some lower cost versions with increased volume. Otherwise, the short to medium-term looks pretty grim.
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