[Calitalia]

http://smh.drive.com.au/motor-news/dial-m-for-mclaren-20110331-1cgk2.html

Jay knows a thing to two I hope... despite this being more qualitative than quantitative but maybe Jay will cancel his order after this weekend too.

 

[Calitalia]

I particularly liked this one... and hope he's right.


It's also not perturbed by the mammoth task of taking on some of the automotive world's most recognisable brands.

"Before the iPhone came on to the market, Steve Jobs hadn't produced a telephone," says McLaren boss Ron Dennis. "They had great products but not in that segment. How fast did it take [Apple] to penetrate?"

Like the iPhone, Dennis prefers to let the McLaren 12C speak for itself. Which brings me to a racetrack in Portugal.

http://smh.drive.com.au/motor-news/stunning-mclaren-12c-to-take-on-ferrari-20110218-1azd9.html

 

[Calitalia]

http://smh.drive.com.au/motor-news/men-only-mclarens-new-supercar-20110505-1e9i5.html


"But we will have a lighter, faster car than Ferrari. We believe the [price] positioning will be about the 458."

Trivett says the sales battle between the MP4-12C and 458, which costs from $526,950, could be affected by the on-track performances of McLaren and Ferrari in Formula One.

"I think [on-track] success has to help [sales of the McLaren]," says Duncan. "It has helped Ferrari."

If sales battle between 458 and MP4-12C will be affected by on track performance and testing, the MP4-12C's sales will drop like flies I am afraid. I worry. Second hand value will tank accordingly. They have slapped themselves in their mouths.

Let's hope Ron is the Steve Jobs of the Supercar world. If he's not, then he will be in trouble.

 

[Osiris_x11]

http://smh.drive.com.au/motor-news/dial-m-for-mclaren-20110331-1cgk2.html

Great share, thanks! I almost feel as-if I could've penned that blog submission, as so much of it coincides w/ how I go about things...

With regards to Formula One notoriety & prowess, I believe McLaren can only move up in their stature in terms of road-going cars (albeit, high-performance exotics & supercars). The F1-GP circus/juggernaut helps greatly w/ penetrance into emerging & developing markets. A generation or so ago (in terms of vehicle platforms), places like China, India, Russia, Gulf Mideast, etc w/ their newly upward moving/expanding societal elite would only know of Ferrari & to a lesser degree Lamborghini. Whereas now, I've noted a developing fondness for McLaren & its forthcoming offerings from my travels & such.

Obviously, the U.S./North-America & U.K./Western-Europe will be the backbone of McLaren sales, but niche markets here-&-there along w/ developing countries who are inking the history-book for the 21st century will surely enhance Woking's coffers & order-ledgers.

It's a good-time to be a fan of high-performance mid/rear engine exotic sportcars, w/ such offerings as Audi R8 V8/V10, Lamborghini Gallardo, Ferrari 458 Italia, and even Porsche 911 GT2/GT3 RS. Along w/ Aston Martin, Lotus, Maserati and M.B. (SLS) fun, good times for us enthusiasts!

 

[Calitalia]

Great share, thanks! I almost feel as-if I could've penned that blog submission, as so much of it coincides w/ how I go about things...

With regards to Formula One notoriety & prowess, I believe McLaren can only move up in their stature in terms of road-going cars (albeit, high-performance exotics & supercars). The F1-GP circus/juggernaut helps greatly w/ penetrance into emerging & developing markets. A generation or so ago (in terms of vehicle platforms), places like China, India, Russia, Gulf Mideast, etc w/ their newly upward moving/expanding societal elite would only know of Ferrari & to a lesser degree Lamborghini. Whereas now, I've noted a developing fondness for McLaren & its forthcoming offerings from my travels & such.

Obviously, the U.S./North-America & U.K./Western-Europe will be the backbone of McLaren sales, but niche markets here-&-there along w/ developing countries who are inking the history-book for the 21st century will surely enhance Woking's coffers & order-ledgers.

It's a good-time to be a fan of high-performance mid/rear engine exotic sportcars, w/ such offerings as Audi R8 V8/V10, Lamborghini Gallardo, Ferrari 458 Italia, and even Porsche 911 GT2/GT3 RS. Along w/ Aston Martin, Lotus, Maserati and M.B. (SLS) fun, good times for us enthusiasts!

Re: McLaren is far from having the recognition it should deserve in China. Even for a most pioneering metropolitan like HK, most would not have heard of the name. In US, yes, the McLaren SLR, Jay Leno. It is a shame that UK press dislikes it so much and Tiff and Jason truly stepped on it all over. I was shocked indeed. My friend in Germany did say the car reviews in Germany spoke differently preferring the MP4 over 458. Not sure there.

To me, while I like the 458 for it being so recognizable (knowing that this is afterall Asia), the McLaren wins the thinking man's sports car category. Jay Leno is the thinking man. He aptly said it " If you don't know cars, the original McLaren F1 is just a nice-looking car but if you know cars you know how great it is. I'm not a big fan of exterior wings and these gold-chain-looking automobiles."

"The car does its job quietly and extremely well and people who know, know and people who don't, don't. I like that very English approach."

If I have to guess, in Asia, the McLaren's resale will not hold up well. There is little to no demand second hand to command any price at all after 1 year. Everyone rushes for a 458 for good obvious reasons. McLaren, buy it, keep it for 4 years then will be fine or maybe fine (if McLaren Automotive full project in making road cars doesn't go south... they may pull out... then the MP4 is a rarity!!!!)