McLaren Automotive CEO Michael Leiters has called for the UK to become a global “centre-of-excellence” for next-generation battery technology in supercars. Speaking at a media event on 25 June, 2024, Leiters emphasized the need for significant investment in the domestic supply chain to support the electrification of high-performance vehicles.
“A clear industrial strategy, led by investment in the domestic supply-chain, will deliver growth, support jobs, help decarbonise the economy and secure a vibrant future for the UK performance car industry,” Leiters said.
The CEO highlighted the UK’s rich history in automotive manufacturing and motorsport, arguing that the country is well-positioned to lead in this sector. However, he warned that the current supply chain is ill-equipped to meet the unique demands of electric supercars.
“It’s time we regained confidence in our sector by investing in a world-class domestic supply-chain to support the development of tomorrow’s high-performance vehicles,” he said.
He stressed the economic benefits of supporting the luxury car industry, noting, “With more than 90% of McLaren supercars being exported, the UK performance car industry provides an excellent return on investment for taxpayers.”
Leiters also highlighted the challenges of meeting EU ‘rules of origin’ requirements for exported vehicles, particularly as the industry shifts towards pure electric models. “Today, our hybrid McLaren Artura powertrain has 64% UK content. If this car was a pure EV, the UK content of the powertrain would reduce to 13% because we cannot currently source the relevant componentry in the UK.”
The McLaren CEO called for government support to “de-risk” the transition to electrification, emphasizing the potential long-term benefits beyond the automotive industry. “In the future, a thriving UK supply-chain specialising in cutting-edge, high energy density cells would not only support supercar production but also other advanced manufacturing needs such as vertical take-off aircraft and drones,” he concluded.
