Skip advert
Advertisement

McLaren cuts a quarter of its workforce

Supercar maker announces 1,200 redundancies in light of motorsport cancellations and wider coronavirus impact

McLaren 650S Spider static

McLaren is to make 1,200 staff redundant, shedding a quarter of its workforce “to ensure its long-term future success.” The move comes as the Covid 19 pandemic impacts sales across all echelons of the industry, while McLaren has also been hit by many F1 races being cancelled or postponed, and a revised calendar of behind-closed-doors events still yet to be agreed.

Advertisement - Article continues below

The Woking-based company said redundancies would follow a consultation period, and will come from its Applied, Automotive and Racing businesses, with back-office and support roles also impacted. 

McLaren’s executive chairman, Paul Walsh, said: “We deeply regret the impact that this restructure will have on all our people, but especially those whose jobs may be affected.” Walsh added the firm had “worked hard to avoid” redundancies, but McLaren had “no choice” but to make the layoffs, which follow a series of “dramatic cost-saving measures across all areas of the business.”

Even before coronavirus hit, the automotive sector was going through significant changes. Nissan confirmed 12,500 layoffs globally last summer, with Jaguar confirming 4,500 redundancies at the start of last year, and Ford shedding 12,000 European roles

McLaren’s redundancies follow weeks of uncertainty and instability, with factories shutting down and dealerships closed. Lockdown measures are now beginning to ease - plants are restarting and dealers can reopen their doors again from 1 June - but the disruption to the economy was evident in April’s new-car registrations, which were down 97.3 per cent, to trace levels. 

Find out how you can still buy a car in the lockdown here...

Skip advert
Advertisement

Find a car with the experts

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Best new cars coming soon: all the big new car launches due in 2025, 2026 and beyond
New cars coming soon header image

Best new cars coming soon: all the big new car launches due in 2025, 2026 and beyond

These are the most important new cars headed our way, from brands including Audi, BMW, Dacia, Ferrari, Ford, Skoda and more
Best cars & vans
23 Jun 2025
Best hypercars 2025
Best hypercars - header image September 2024

Best hypercars 2025

Extraordinarily fast and exceedingly rare, these are the best hypercars of all-time
Best cars & vans
12 May 2025
World's fastest road cars 2025
Fastest road cars - header

World's fastest road cars 2025

Find out everything you need to know about the fastest road cars ever built
Best cars & vans
6 Jan 2025
McLaren gets a new owner with big plans for the future
McLaren 750S Spider - front

McLaren gets a new owner with big plans for the future

Abu Dhabi-based CYVN Holdings aims to “redefine high-performance mobility”
News
9 Dec 2024

Most Popular

Range Rover Sport SV gets massive £35k price drop as it enters series-production
Range Rover Sport SV Black - front

Range Rover Sport SV gets massive £35k price drop as it enters series-production

There’s also a new SV Black trim, and a Range Rover Sport Stealth Package for non SVs
News
1 Jul 2025
Car Deal of the Day: MG ZS gives a big SUV feel for a miniscule £194 a month
MG ZS - front cornering

Car Deal of the Day: MG ZS gives a big SUV feel for a miniscule £194 a month

The MG ZS is an easy car to like and live with. It’s our Deal of the Day for 3 July
News
3 Jul 2025
Arrivederci Roma: new Ferrari Amalfi slots in as brand’s latest entry-level model
Ferrari Amalfi - front static

Arrivederci Roma: new Ferrari Amalfi slots in as brand’s latest entry-level model

A slick new look and more power are the headlines for Ferrari’s new baby, but it’s probably some simple new buttons that will get customers’ attention
News
1 Jul 2025