McLaren Automotive Announces Participation In Prime Minister's UK Trade Delegation To China

January 30, 2018 by McLaren Automotive

•Imports of the 570S Spider and 720S expected to begin with McLaren planning to double sales in China this year

•McLaren Automotive continues to expand Chinese presence with 10 retailers and new sites set to be added this year

•McLaren, working with Chinese craftspeople, soon to launch limited run of 570GT cars created in collaboration with well-known Chinese designer

McLaren Automotive, the British sportscar and supercar maker, is among the UK's top businesses set this week to accompany Prime Minister Theresa May and Dr Liam Fox, Secretary of State for International Trade, as part of a UK-China trade delegation.

Dr Jens Ludmann, Chief Operating Officer for McLaren Automotive, will accompany the Prime Minister as she tours several major Chinese cities and meets with senior Chinese officials and leading industrial players to continue the trade dialogue between both countries.

McLaren Automotive has a growing presence in the Chinese market and with imports of the new 570S Spider and 720S expected to begin shortly, the company plans to double sales there this year.

McLaren currently has 10 retailers with a further site to be added in Xiamen this year along with updated showrooms in Guangzhou and Shenzhen.

In addition, McLaren is working with Chinese companies and craftspeople. The brand is soon to announce a collaboration with a well-known Chinese fashion designer who has worked with McLaren to create a limited run of 570GT Sports Series models that will be exclusively retailed in China.

The exterior artwork that will celebrate Chinese heritage was designed in China while the cars were hand-assembled at the McLaren Production Centre in Woking, Surrey, England. When unveiled, the limited run will incorporate traditional Chinese elements with a modern twist alongside hand-crafted panels from a traditional Chinese embroidery master.

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The partnership came about because McLaren recognises the growing international importance of Chinese design and wants to highlight how it works with customers to personalise their vehicles through its McLaren Special Operations (MSO) arm.

'McLaren Automotive is recognised as an innovator that pushes the technical boundaries in areas such as hybrid powertrain, lightweight materials, the use of virtual reality and beyond. So it is a great honour for us to help represent the best of British business in China. The UK is not only home to an incredibly impressive indigenous talent pool but is able to attract talent and expertise from all over the globe that allows us to create the world-beating products that we do.

'China is increasingly important for a company like McLaren as we are set to import new models, expand our retailer network, boost investment and grow sales, all while working closely with local businesses, designers and craftspeople to jointly celebrate British and Chinese culture and talent.'

Dr. Jens Ludmann, Chief Operating Officer, McLaren Automotive.

McLaren has an enviable reputation for manufacturing and technological excellence in the design of its cars, helping it to create some of the world's most sought-after designs, while leading advances in engineering that have significant world-relevance.

McLaren is continuing to develop its expertise in both hybrid powertrain technology – having delivered the world's first hybrid hypercar the McLaren P1TM over five years ago – and lightweight materials. Combined, the two are fundamental in the development of future automotive technologies, capable of driving increased performance while meeting ever stricter environmental legislation.

Overall, and as part of its Track22 business plan, McLaren is investing £1billion in research and development to deliver 15 new cars or derivatives by the end of 2022, of which at least half will be hybrids. The company has also recently announced a £50 million investment in a McLaren Composites Technology Centre set to open later this year that will innovate and manufacture the strong, lightweight carbon fibre chassis at the heart of its cars.