McLaren may forge new technology and financial partnerships to support the development of its next generation of supercars.
Citing people familiar with the matter, Bloomberg reported on Thursday that McLaren’s main shareholder, the Bahrain Mumtalakat Holding sovereign wealth fund, is considering bringing in new investors who can provide fresh funding and technological expertise.
The report mentions that some Chinese automakers are among the new investors.
Aston Martin, which, like McLaren, doesn’t have a major automaker behind it, last year entered into a generation-building partnership with American electric vehicle startup Lucid. The partnership will see Lucid supply part of its next-generation generation to Aston Martin, which plans to launch 4 electric cars in 4 years from 2025.
McLaren hasn’t announced any plans for an electric vehicle, and if it does, it’s most likely more than just a supercar. CEO Michael Leiters has said that the electric vehicle generation probably wouldn’t be suitable for a supercar until the end of the century. decade. He also said McLaren is open to new segments, such as the ever-popular SUV segment.
McLaren has struggled financially since the pandemic. The private company has secured investment from existing investors and has taken more extreme measures, such as selling historic cars and selling its headquarters in a sale-lease deal.
McLaren shareholders also agreed at the end of last year to a recapitalisation to introduce a simplified percentage design with a more streamlined governance process.