McLaren CEO Michael Leiters resigns after merger with e-car brand Forseven
A surprising change of leadership has shaken the super sports car world: Michael Leiters, CEO of McLaren Automotive, has stepped down with immediate effect after three years at the helm of the company. The change comes just days after the official merger of McLaren with electric vehicle manufacturer Forseven - a move designed to lead McLaren into a new era of electric mobility.
Merger with Forseven: a strategic upheaval
Earlier this month, McLaren officially merged with Forseven, a manufacturer specializing in electric cars, to form the new McLaren Group Holdings. The merger is part of a comprehensive restructuring plan following the takeover of McLaren by Abu Dhabi-based CYVN Holdings in December 2023.
Under the new ownership, the McLaren brand name will remain, while the Forseven name will gradually disappear from the market. The merger marks a profound reorientation towards electric drives, innovation and global competitiveness.
Nick Collins takes over: An EV expert at the helm
Nick Collins, previously CEO of Forseven, has been appointed as Leiters' successor. Collins brings extensive experience in the field of electric mobility and is seen as the ideal candidate to lead McLaren into the era of electric supercars.
Collins is expected to further develop the hybrid and electric sports car strategy and strengthen McLaren's brand identity in the EV sector - a crucial factor in competing with strong rivals such as Porsche, Ferrari and Rimac.
Review: Leiters' contribution to McLaren
Michael Leiters, former head of engineering at Ferrari and former Porsche manager, took over as CEO of McLaren Automotive in 2021 - at a time when the company was under enormous financial pressure.
During his tenure, McLaren achieved:
the market launch of the Artura hybrid super sports car
the launch of the new 750S super sports car
the presentation of the extreme hypercar W1
Leiters' leadership was crucial to the stabilization of operations and the successful restructuring, which has now culminated in the merger. In his farewell statement, he emphasized his pride in the joint successes and wished the company a promising future.
McLaren: Independent icon with a new direction
Important to know: McLaren Automotive, founded in 2010 and based in Woking, England, is legally independent of the McLaren Formula 1 team. Despite their common roots and brand name, the two companies operate separately.
Historically, McLaren Automotive is the successor to McLaren Cars, which created one of the most famous super sports car models of all time in 1992 with the legendary McLaren F1.
Conclusion: McLaren facing an electric new beginning
The resignation of Michael Leiters not only marks a change in leadership, but also symbolizes the strategic change that McLaren is undergoing with the merger. Under Nick Collins' leadership, the brand will now have to assert its place in the electric sports car world - with the aim of remaining at the forefront of automotive innovation.
The coming years should be exciting for McLaren fans: Tradition meets transformation.
