The UK, renowned for its high-performance automotive manufacturing and elite motorsport heritage, has a prime opportunity to spearhead the electrification of supercar production. However, this potential can only be realized with significant investment in the domestic supply chain, according to McLaren Automotive CEO Michael Leiters.
Leiters emphasizes that the current UK supply chain is not yet capable of meeting the unique performance demands of electric supercars. He urges future UK governments to develop a strategic roadmap for investing in advanced powertrain technologies.
“A robust industrial strategy focused on domestic supply-chain investment will drive growth, create jobs, aid in decarbonizing the economy, and ensure a vibrant future for the UK’s performance car industry,” says Leiters.
He adds that it’s crucial to restore confidence in the sector by building a world-class domestic supply chain to support next-generation high-performance vehicles.
“Historically, the UK was once the largest vehicle exporter globally. Today it remains home to some of the most admired performance car brands and many Formula 1 racing teams,” notes Leiters.
“We must leverage our skills and knowledge within motorsport and performance car industries to establish a global center of excellence,” he continues.
UK-based luxury and sports car brands enjoy substantial pricing power due to their rich histories, intrinsic brand value, and leading-edge performance attributes. Consequently, McLaren employees’ productivity gross value added is 51% higher than that of the broader UK automotive manufacturing sector.
With over 90% of McLaren supercars being exported, Leiters highlights that taxpayer investments yield excellent returns from this industry segment. Government support is also vital for mitigating risks associated with transitioning to electrification.
“The costs involved in this technological shift are enormous—especially for low-volume specialized suppliers,” he explains.
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