The story was, in any case, somewhat confused. McLaren Technology Group does not own the McLaren Automotive car company, or at least it owns only a very small percentage. The owners of the McLaren Technology Group do control McLaren Automotive, but the ownership structure is very different – and this is significant because overall control is not always the same. Having said that, if the money is good, the partners might sell both companies to a big player like Apple.
The story says that McLaren has expertise “that ranges from automotive engineering and on-board computer systems to novel chassis materials such as carbon fibre and aluminium”. This is true, but not in the single company, although the two firms do share the very flash Apple-esque headquarters in Woking.
The McLaren Technology Group, is a racing car manufacturer and a third party technical supplier. It is involved in marketing, it applies its technologies to other industries, it has a catering business and is involved in “corporate services”. It changed its name in January 2015 in order to draw attention to its diversified interests in high-technology company, involved in industries such as oil and gas, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, aviation and financial services.
McLaren Automotive is a stand-alone company and operates as a separate operation.
The car company is very different. The last official filings reveal that McLaren Technology Group owns only 3.6 percent of McLaren Automotive.
