MCLAREN Automotive, the luxury sports and supercar manufacturing company alongside the F1 team, has appointed Dr Jens Ludmann to be McLaren Automotive COO effective from May 2, 2017, tasked with overseeing the launch of 14 new models or derivatives over five years.
Reporting to chief executive officer Mike Flewitt, Dr Ludmann joins McLaren in the second year of its Track22 business plan to focus on further developing internal working processes, relationships, and disciplines.
His departmental responsibilities will include product development, purchasing, supplier quality assurance and manufacturing, overseeing the launch of a further 14 new models or derivatives during the next five years.
Previous roles include chief engineer product development at Ford Motor Company, chief technical officer at Qoros Auto, and most recently executive vice president of the global engineering service provider FEV GmbH.
Mike Flewitt said of the appointment: “Jens brings a broad and global wealth of experience from across the automotive industry, having worked in several senior technical and leadership roles.
“I feel with Jen’s successful track record of managing and developing businesses, creating and enhancing teams and driving profitability, he is absolutely the right person to fulfil the COO role for McLaren Automotive.”
Dr Ludmann replied: “It is a real privilege to be asked to join the leadership team of a company as innovative and exciting as McLaren Automotive. Its rapid rise to success is unparalleled in the automotive world and I can’t wait to be part of the next chapter which starts now with the launch of the second-generation Super Series. The new 720S is an amazing car, one which I am very much looking forward to driving.”
Cars and driving are both passions of Jens Ludmann, who holds an International C Race Licence and regularly competes in the challenging Nürburgring 24 Hours race. He is also currently restoring a 1965 Land Rover Series II.
The COO role at McLaren Automotive has been dormant since July 2013 when Mike Flewitt, previously COO from June 2012, was appointed CEO.
