McLaren Taps Into NIO Tech via CYVN-Backed Merger with Forseven

Well-known NIO influencer Dong Maimai recently revealed on Weibo that "McLaren will adopt NIO's technology" — a claim that appears to have some basis.

Dong Maimai's Weibo

British supercar maker McLaren Automotive has just announced a merger with startup Forseven, forming a new holding company named McLaren Group Holdings.

According to information released on McLaren’s official website, the merger will enable McLaren to benefit from CYVN’s strategic investment in NIO — providing access to visionary technologies and electrification capabilities — as well as three years of stealth-mode development by the Forseven team.

McLaren’s official website

Of particular interest: Forseven’s primary investor is Abu Dhabi’s sovereign wealth fund CYVN Investments — which also happens to be a major shareholder in NIO.

Over the past year, CYVN has invested more than $1.1 billion in NIO across multiple funding rounds and now holds over 20% of the company.

Beyond providing financial backing, CYVN is also seen as a key enabler of NIO’s global expansion strategy.

NIO and CYVN Holdings joint venture to advance smart electric vehicle innovation across MENA

This merger is widely interpreted as a way for McLaren to indirectly access NIO’s technological capabilities via Forseven.

While NIO has not publicly confirmed any direct cooperation with McLaren or Forseven, the dual role of CYVN, combined with NIO’s mature capabilities in electric powertrains, battery systems, and electronic architectures, makes this connection appear more than coincidental.

Given CYVN’s deep ties to both companies, the prospect of “NIO technology going global” is looking increasingly plausible.