Mercedes-Benz UK is the new Official Automotive Partner of WSL Football, covering both the Barclays Women’s Super League (Barclays WSL) and Barclays Women’s Super League 2 (Barclays WSL2). The exclusive multi-year partnership comes into effect on 7 January 2026.

As part of this partnership, Mercedes-Benz UK also becomes the Presenting Partner of the first ever play-off match. For this season, the third-placed Barclays WSL2 club could secure promotion to the top tier if they beat the club that finishes bottom of the Barclays WSL.

The partnership between Mercedes-Benz UK and WSL Football strengthens the brand’s commitment to supporting women’s sports on a global level. Mercedes-Benz AG has been an Official Patron of the Women’s Open golf tournament since 2024, and on 1 January 2026 entered into a long-term agreement with the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) to become both its Premier Partner and Exclusive Automobile Partner.

“The Mercedes-Benz story began 140 years ago with a bold idea that changed the world. Now, that same spirit of innovation and ambition drives our partnership with WSL Football. We are proud to collaborate with WSL Football to inspire and engage the next generation of players and fans.”

Olivier Reppert, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Mercedes-Benz UK

“Partnering with Mercedes-Benz UK at this defining moment in the season reflects the scale, momentum and commercial potential of the women’s game. Bringing a brand of this calibre into WSL Football as our Official Automotive Partner will help us elevate the game, deepen engagement with fans and players and accelerate long-term growth across both leagues.”

Zarah Al-Kudcy, Chief Revenue Officer, WSL Football.

The Barclays WSL and Barclays WSL2 season resumes after its winter break on 10 January, when Arsenal plays Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium in London and Southampton take on Portsmouth at St Mary’s Stadium in Southampton

Article courtesy of https://www.wslfootball.com published 7^th January 2026

Mercedes-Benz UK is the new Official Automotive Partner of WSL Football, covering both the Barclays Women’s Super League (Barclays WSL) and Barclays Women’s Super League 2 (Barclays WSL2). The exclusive multi-year partnership comes into effect on 7 January 2026.

As part of this partnership, Mercedes-Benz UK also becomes the Presenting Partner of the first ever play-off match. For this season, the third-placed Barclays WSL2 club could secure promotion to the top tier if they beat the club that finishes bottom of the Barclays WSL.

The partnership between Mercedes-Benz UK and WSL Football strengthens the brand’s commitment to supporting women’s sports on a global level. Mercedes-Benz AG has been an Official Patron of the Women’s Open golf tournament since 2024, and on 1 January 2026 entered into a long-term agreement with the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) to become both its Premier Partner and Exclusive Automobile Partner.

“The Mercedes-Benz story began 140 years ago with a bold idea that changed the world. Now, that same spirit of innovation and ambition drives our partnership with WSL Football. We are proud to collaborate with WSL Football to inspire and engage the next generation of players and fans.”

Olivier Reppert, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Mercedes-Benz UK

“Partnering with Mercedes-Benz UK at this defining moment in the season reflects the scale, momentum and commercial potential of the women’s game. Bringing a brand of this calibre into WSL Football as our Official Automotive Partner will help us elevate the game, deepen engagement with fans and players and accelerate long-term growth across both leagues.”

Zarah Al-Kudcy, Chief Revenue Officer, WSL Football.

The Barclays WSL and Barclays WSL2 season resumes after its winter break on 10 January, when Arsenal plays Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium in London and Southampton take on Portsmouth at St Mary’s Stadium in Southampton

Article courtesy of https://www.wslfootball.com published 7^th January 2026

Atlas Copco smart tools and digital systems have already been integrated into the manufacture of Artura, 750S and GTS supercars at the McLaren Production Centre (MPC), and now the new W1 – the latest in McLaren’s ‘1’ car lineage – will benefit from the very first client car built.

The data relating to every fixing on each car is automatically entered into a digital passport of more than 2,000 entries. Each one of these fixings, across MPC, are recorded by Avantguard, Atlas Copco’s advanced error-proofing software, which seamlessly transfers this information over to Toolsnet8 for real-time data-readout. This same data is also used by Atlas Copco Alture optimisation software, which uses trend analysis to predict and identify potential issues before they occur. It comes together to create a digital ledger of the car as it is built, that is unlike like ever before.

Next-generation Atlas Copco smart tools are not only making a difference in terms of the McLaren Production Centre, but the new level of precision manufacturing is unlocking even more performance from the design and engineering that goes into every McLaren.

For example, the McLaren W1’s suspension system incorporates lightweight titanium fasteners that demand controlled and repeatable torque-angle application in production to ensure joint integrity, and the resulting 100-gram weight reduction required.

McLaren operators use the Atlas Copco STRwrench Compact Controller combined with a 250Nm smartHEAD to deliver the high accuracy demanded for the Formula-1 inspired inboard front suspension, and the Atlas Copco Tensor ICB-A single-handed tool when working on the W1’s revolutionary rear-aerodynamic system.

The Rear Active Longtail of the W1 uses bespoke interference pins that allow for reduced packaging and smaller clearances that together deliver lower overall weight. Only by having guaranteed assembly conditions can this be possible.

Matt Walton, chief manufacturing officer, McLaren Automotive, said: “Precision engineering demands precision manufacturing. McLaren Automotive’s technical partnership with Atlas Copco embeds bespoke, next-generation smart tools to bring new levels of hand-crafted accuracy to the assembly process. This is the future of hand-crafting supercars – intelligent, connected and uncompromising in their execution.”

Article courtesy of https://www.pesmedia.com published 4^th December 2025

Rygor Group has launched a Women in Automotive Journal to promote career opportunities for women by sharing stories from across the sector.

The publication brings together contributors from dealerships, EV businesses, marketing firms and charities who outline their routes into the industry, the challenges they faced and the achievements they value most.

Kate Ruberry Shoemack, Rygor Group director of people and communication, led the project.

She said: “When you ask women in the industry how they came to work in automotive, the response I hear time and time again is I fell into it.

“In fact, in research carried out within Rygor, nearly 65% of the women surveyed said that they had little to no awareness of, or exposure to career opportunities in the sector.

“Yet, anecdotally, speaking with the incredible women who work in our industry, they love it and feel fulfilled by their career.”

Ruberry Shoemack said the more work that can be done to highlight women in the industry, the more likely that a greater number of women join the sector.

She said: “Our in house research showed that lack of awareness, lack of female representation in marketing and job adverts and the need for role models is what our female team members said would encourage more women to the sector.

“When we can showcase the reality and opportunity of the automotive sector for women, we know it works as between 2023 and 2024 across Rygor Group, we saw a 64% increase in job applicants who identified as female.”

he journal includes guidance from women at Rygor Group and partners including Ben, The Automotive Charity and automotive publications.

It covers topics such as confidence building and progression routes and is available to download from the company’s careers site.

Sara Sloman, chief strategy officer at Paythru and a contributor, said: “This wonderful initiative by Rygor shows the importance of surrounding yourself with people who can help you to shine.

“The secret to success is not about avoiding a glass ceiling, it is about smashing through it as an army of likeminded individuals all seeing the same thing the benefits of collaboration for collective success.

“A rising tide lifts all ships or, it should. It is an honour to be featured amongst such strong and empowering people.”

Ruberry Shoemack said the aim is to raise awareness of careers in the sector.

She added: “If we see even just one more woman join the automotive industry off the back of our collective efforts, then this will be a successful initiative.”

Article courtesy of: www.am-online.com Published 4th December 2025