McLaren Merges with Forseven in Electric Vehicle Overhaul

McLaren Automotive, the iconic British supercar manufacturer, is merging with the UK luxury electric vehicle start-up Forseven Holdings. This strategic decision marks a significant transformation for the 62-year-old carmaker under the ownership of Abu Dhabi's CYVN investment group. CYVN, which has acquired the McLaren auto business from the Bahraini sovereign wealth fund Mumtalakat, also holds stakes in Forseven and Chinese EV company Nio. The merger aims to extend McLaren's model lineup to include potentially sport utility vehicles. Despite McLaren's loss-making status for five years, the partnership provides Forseven an opportunity to leverage McLaren's strong brand heritage to launch luxury EVs by the end of the decade. Nick Collins, previously of Jaguar Land Rover, will lead the merged entity. While the US remains a primary market for McLaren, recent tariffs could pose new costs. The merger will allow McLaren to integrate Nio's EV technologies, though the transition to fully electric supercars remains under consideration. CYVN plans to invest long-term in shaping McLaren's future, focusing on a broader transformation rather than solely expanding the current lineup.