McLaren Automotive CEO Michael Leiters has stepped down following the company's merger with EV start-up Forseven.
He will be replaced by Forseven boss Nick Collins, who was recently named CEO of the newly formed McLaren Group Holdings, which comprises all McLaren Automotive and Forseven operations, along with McLaren Licensing, and holds a non-controlling stake in McLaren Racing.
Collins will therefore begin leading McLaren Automotive as well as running the company at a group level from now, Leiters having stepped down with immediate effect.
Leiters arrived in Woking three years ago after a lengthy tenure as chief technical officer at Ferrari, and prior to that he was at Porsche, where he oversaw development and production of the Cayenne SUV.
During his time at McLaren, he oversaw the commercial launch of the Artura, the firm's first hybrid supercar; the replacement of the 720S with the 750S; and the unveiling of the new W1 hypercar.
He also steered McLaren through a change of ownership last year, when Abu Dhabi investment company CYVN Holdings (which also owns Forseven) acquired the supercar maker from its previous owner, Bahrain's Mumtalakat Holding Company.
That paved the way for McLaren and Forseven to come together in a full-scale merger, as was officially confirmed earlier this month, with the Forseven name disappearing and all future cars from the company continuing to wear the McLaren badge.
McLaren said Leiters' "contribution and leadership were crucial to the company's transition, including important phases like the recapitalisation and change of ownership".
He added: "I am honoured to have led McLaren Automotive over the past three years. I am thankful having worked alongside such a dedicated and talented team. I’m proud of what we’ve achieved together and confident that the business is on a strong path for success. I wish all involved the very best in the future.”
Leiters hasn't confirmed any career plans following his departure.
The news comes as McLaren moves to optimise its car-building business in Woking as part of a six-month turnaround plan that began immediately upon the Forseven merger.
Autocar understands the production line is moving from a two-shift pattern to one, but McLaren hasn't given any further details about what that means for the workers there.
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