The UK’s automotive industry is set for a major boost as high-performance car manufacturer
McLaren Automotive announces it will expand its UK footprint and create 1,000 new high-quality jobs by 2032.
The iconic British brand will invest around £500 million to expand its world-leading R&D and production site in South Yorkshire and open a new cutting-edge vehicle production facility in the UK, supporting our plan to reindustrialise and unlock growth in every postcode.
This investment builds on £4 billion of government investment into the wider automotive sector by 2035 and will ensure McLaren’s continues to design, engineer and manufacture in the UK. It is also expected to unlock up to 3,000 additional jobs across the sector.
Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds and First Secretary of State Louise Haigh will visited McLaren’s Technology Centre in Woking, where they welcomed the investment as a major vote of confidence in the UK’s automotive industry and Modern Industrial Strategy.
Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said: “McLaren’s investment is a massive vote of confidence in Britain and our world-class automotive sector. It means 1,000 new jobs up and down the country, with thousands more supported across the supply chain – that’s boosting growth and making us all better off.
“This is all part of our Modern Industrial Strategy which is backing the car industry with billions of pounds in investment to help reindustrialise Britain. We’re creating the right environment so businesses like McLaren choose the UK.”
The announcement comes days after Downing Street hosted a roundtable and reception with business leaders to discuss how government and business can work together to unlock investment, create good jobs and spread opportunity across the country as part of the Government’s commitment to partner for growth.
McLaren’s commitment to keeping all current and new models in the UK will create new export opportunities in exciting markets worldwide and boost local firms throughout its supply chain.
With plans to manufacture future engines in-house for the first time and expand its product portfolio with a performance SUV, McLaren’s backing cements the UK’s position as a world-leading destination for investment into the sector.
It builds on the Government’s commitment to give businesses greater certainty, providing the stable foundations businesses need to invest with confidence and plan for the long term.
Nick Collins, chief executive officer of McLaren Group Holdings and McLaren Automotive said: “We are investing in the future of McLaren and in advanced manufacturing in the UK. This investment will give us the platform to grow, develop our next generation of cars and build on what makes us distinctive, while strengthening skills, jobs and Britain’s global competitiveness.”
Commenting on the news Mike Hawes,
Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders chief executive, added: “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.”