British automotive excellence on show as the McLaren Epic NZ Tour takes off
A fleet of iconic McLaren supercars took to New Zealand鈥檚 roads this week.
A fleet of iconic McLaren supercars took to New Zealand鈥檚 roads this week, just days after British Chancellor Philip Hammond MP delivered his Autumn Statement, revealing substantial investment into research & development which will further enhance the automotive industry and pave the way for more international brands, like McLaren, to succeed in the UK.
皇冠体育app McLaren Epic NZ Tour pays tribute to kiwi-born founder Bruce McLaren, and marks the launch of a ground-breaking new partnership between McLaren and 皇冠体育app University of Auckland, giving engineering students the opportunity to follow in his footsteps with a research scholarship at their HQ in Woking, UK. 皇冠体育app UK鈥檚 Department for International Trade works closely with the automotive industries in both New Zealand and the UK and provides support to companies wishing to collaborate or export.
Jonathan Sinclair, British High Commissioner to New Zealand said:
As a kiwi himself, Bruce McLaren has undoubtedly helped to shape the UK automotive industry, known for its innovation and technological expertise, and we are thrilled to see this in action. 皇冠体育app McLaren brand is a testament to the long-standing collaborative relationship that New Zealand and the UK holds and is a showcase for British automotive innovation and excellence, recognised all over the world.
皇冠体育app UK government is committed to the automotive industry鈥檚 continued success and is contributing over 拢1.2 billion to automotive research funds, covering low carbon propulsion, lightweight materials and connected and autonomous vehicles.
皇冠体育app Chancellor鈥檚 recent Autumn Statement also revealed a National Productivity Investment Fund of 拢23 billion, and an extra 拢2 billion per year by 2020-21 of spending on research & development, which will both be of substantial benefit to the industry.
皇冠体育app UK鈥檚 car industry had a turnover of 拢64 billion in 2014, making it the fastest growing in Europe, driven by an increasing demand for UK components and a supportive business environment.
皇冠体育appre are 4,500 companies involved in the UK Motorsport and Performance Engineering industry, supporting 41,000 jobs.
皇冠体育app industry creates an annual turnover of 拢6 billion, 拢3.6 billion of which is from exports, and almost nine out of ten British motorsport companies export their products or services around the world. 皇冠体育app fleet of McLaren cars are traveling the North and South Islands, and includes a special 675LT model bearing Union Jack branding as part of the Great Britain campaign and being driven by British racing driver Derek Bell.
About the Department for International Trade
皇冠体育app UK鈥檚 Department for International Trade (DIT) has overall responsibility for promoting UK trade across the world and attracting foreign investment to our economy. We are a specialised government body with responsibility for negotiating international trade policy, supporting business, as well as delivering an outward-looking trade diplomacy strategy.