McLaren is to create 1,000 jobs as part of a £450m investment in its technology centre in Woking, providing a rare boost for the UK's beleaguered automotive sector. The move comes just days after Jaguar Land Rover confirmed it would cut 4,000 jobs over the next two years, underlining the contrasting fortunes within the industry as manufacturers grapple with tough trading conditions and competition from Chinese rivals.

The British supercar maker, which currently employs 2,500 people and recently merged with electric vehicle startup Forseven Holdings, will add roles including indirect and agency positions, according to the Financial Times. McLaren's automotive business was bought last year by Abu Dhabi-owned CYVN Holdings, which has pledged to invest $2bn (£1.4bn) over five years into the lossmaking group. The wider industry faces mounting pressure, with Volkswagen last week announcing 100,000 global job cuts by 2030, and UK carmakers set to face a 10% EU tariff on electric vehicle exports from early next year.