McLaren Automotive has unveiled a £500m investment programme to expand its UK manufacturing, engineering and operations, including a new vehicle assembly facility and the in-house development and production of engines and transmissions for the first time.

The investment will increase production capacity, accelerate development of next-generation vehicles and broaden McLaren’s model range, with the company also confirming plans for its first performance SUV alongside future supercar models.

McLaren will expand its Production Centre in Woking and its Composites Technology Centre in South Yorkshire, while maintaining the design, engineering and manufacture of its current and future models in the UK. The programme is expected to create at least 1,000 direct and indirect jobs by 2032, including high-skilled roles and apprenticeships, while supporting up to 3,000 additional jobs across the supply chain.

The investment is backed by L'IMAD, a sovereign investor linked to the Government of Abu Dhabi, and comes as the UK automotive industry faces continued pressure to reduce costs and restructure operations. The Government said the investment builds on its wider £4bn commitment to the automotive sector through 2035.

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.”

Nick Collins, CEO of McLaren Group Holdings and McLaren Automotive, added: “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.”

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