IT’S all very well fielding one of the top Formula One teams and being a global leader in production of supercars, but where does a fast-moving hi-tech giant like McLaren look for less exotic company cars for the thousands of highly skilled staff on its payroll?

The answer was under its nosecone at Trident Honda, well just half a mile down the road from the McLaren Technology Group’s main F1 facility and McLaren Automotive supercar production centre.

As a key part of the expanding and diversifying group, McLaren Automotive employs more than 1,000 and plans to produce more than 4,000 cars a year within three years.

Trident Honda has been based at its site in Ottershaw, Chertsey in Surrey, since 1963 – a family business covering a large area including Weybridge, Woking and Chertsey. And the McLaren Honda F1 engine deal was great news.

But as Trident Honda managing director and dealer principal Richard Roberts, FIMI, explained, having the right brand to match the F1 team’s engine supplier was only part of the story that has already brought around 100 new car sales in recent months.

“When Honda came up with the F1 deal we were perfectly placed to handle the support account – in the past we have looked after staff individually, supplying and servicing new and used Hondas for many years.