McLaren Merges Customization and Racing Units

Britain's McLaren Automotive Ltd. is merging its McLaren Special Operations customization unit with McLaren Motorsport GT racing.

Ansar Ali, the former CEO of Caterham Cars. Ltd. who joined McLaren as director of motorsports in March, will head the integrated business. He will report to Jolyon Nash, executive director of global sales and marketing.

McLaren says the move will reduce costs and improve synergies between the businesses. The niche carmaker, which sells about 1,700 vehicles per year, also expects the closer working relationship between the racing and customization groups will improve its vehicle development process.