Who buys "the worlds fastest hypercar!!" ?
Discussion
Reading the P1 article, I tried to give McLaren the benefit of the doubt and attempted to rationalise their seemingly odd choices of publicity strategy.
The first big hurdle I came across was in identifying the market. Who the frick spends 7 figures on an automobile, or more notably, THE FASTEST AUTOMOBILE MONEY CAN BUY (which you can legally drive through chelsea in).
I must assume (as i am sadly not privy to first hand information), that there are a few primary categories, or nodes, in a short continuum of wealthy folk:
a. The Endowed:
Born into a world of wealth. Money is never a hurdle. Accustomed and expecting to have the very 'best'. Probably younger than category b and c, somewhat sheltered and naive; Therefore likely to be swayed by THE lap time. Likely to also read the Daily Mail to see which of their mates girlfriends has been snapped on the beach in a bikini.
I can't help but think of the oil tycoon kid who had a paddy about the Koenigsegg he bought without realising he couldn't drive it in his home country.
b. The Driven:
Incredibly motivated, for whatever reason, to earn extraordinary wealth. Smart, savvy, fiercely competitive, uncompromising and status seeking. Chinese Industrial Barons and Dotcom tycoons. Likely to have received a personal invitation to part with the cash from Ferrari and McLaren. This is a person who is unlikely to want to spend their hard earned cash on only the second fastest car in the world.
c. King Car Guy:
Appreciative of the subtleties of automotive engineering but from a world of a's and b's. This will be a more considered purchaser and will enjoy the car for how it drives, rather than its figures or what it says about them. Think Lenos, Evanses, Atkinsons. Though less in number than a and b, King Car Guys will likely add the lions share of the overall hypercar mileage. Likely to own Porsche, Fez and McL, at some point - These are the chaps who will create or kill the legend.
Have I missed any?
The first big hurdle I came across was in identifying the market. Who the frick spends 7 figures on an automobile, or more notably, THE FASTEST AUTOMOBILE MONEY CAN BUY (which you can legally drive through chelsea in).
I must assume (as i am sadly not privy to first hand information), that there are a few primary categories, or nodes, in a short continuum of wealthy folk:
a. The Endowed:
Born into a world of wealth. Money is never a hurdle. Accustomed and expecting to have the very 'best'. Probably younger than category b and c, somewhat sheltered and naive; Therefore likely to be swayed by THE lap time. Likely to also read the Daily Mail to see which of their mates girlfriends has been snapped on the beach in a bikini.
I can't help but think of the oil tycoon kid who had a paddy about the Koenigsegg he bought without realising he couldn't drive it in his home country.
b. The Driven:
Incredibly motivated, for whatever reason, to earn extraordinary wealth. Smart, savvy, fiercely competitive, uncompromising and status seeking. Chinese Industrial Barons and Dotcom tycoons. Likely to have received a personal invitation to part with the cash from Ferrari and McLaren. This is a person who is unlikely to want to spend their hard earned cash on only the second fastest car in the world.
c. King Car Guy:
Appreciative of the subtleties of automotive engineering but from a world of a's and b's. This will be a more considered purchaser and will enjoy the car for how it drives, rather than its figures or what it says about them. Think Lenos, Evanses, Atkinsons. Though less in number than a and b, King Car Guys will likely add the lions share of the overall hypercar mileage. Likely to own Porsche, Fez and McL, at some point - These are the chaps who will create or kill the legend.
Have I missed any?
Superhoop said:
As above really
It's a bit like asking 'Why do dogs lick their balls?'
Because they can....
/Thread
I think you underestimate the noble art of licking ones own balls. A dog has many things to consider before it resorts to ball licking; Is there a stick to fetch? Is there food to be begged for? Is there a leg to be humped? I believe only if conditions are perfect, will a dog sample those furry beanbags.It's a bit like asking 'Why do dogs lick their balls?'
Because they can....
/Thread
Equally, I'm fairly sure that everyone with 537,000 quid will not automatically go out and buy a 918, 'just because they can'. Far from it.
I suspect the ring lap time has a much greater importance in these high earning circles than we think, given the history which has brought the buyer to the position where they can buy.
I find the prospect of having that amount of cash to blow on a car exciting and intriguing and would like to explore this topic a little more.
Paul O said:
If money isn't an issue, you quite like cars, want relative exclusivity and/or have tried everything else then this would be the target market.
It's also a halo car for the brand which companies often need as a by-product to sell the lower cars, so benefits both sides.
Would someone in this market care about 'Ring time?It's also a halo car for the brand which companies often need as a by-product to sell the lower cars, so benefits both sides.
robinessex said:
Yea, the one's you missed are the Engineers in this country, who are probably the only ones who understand and appreciate the technology. But then, until they're paid the same salary and bonuses as the the city bankers, opps sorry, gamblers, then they're out of the picture.
Good call.I'd lump the City Gamblers under 'The Driven' competitive, but somehow missing the point. Likely to listen to the headline figures.
and the Wealthy Engineers in the 'King Car Guy' group. An appreciative, fascinated, minority.
XplusYplusZ said:
DannyScene said:
I don't get this thread at all
Who buys the worlds fastest hyper car?
People who can afford it and want one
/thread
WHY do they want one?Who buys the worlds fastest hyper car?
People who can afford it and want one
/thread
They want one because, it looks and sounds nice, is fast and they can afford one
sc0tt said:
Same reason you have a Triumph I guess. Because you wanted one and could afford it.
The choice of cars for an average joe is much more complex, i believe.If I've decided that I want a hypercar, I have only 2 (or 3) choices. And they all do the very same thing. So what will be the key distinguishing factor to a group(s) of people who can afford them?
XplusYplusZ said:
The choice of cars for an average joe is much more complex, i believe.
If I've decided that I want a hypercar, I have only 2 (or 3) choices. And they all do the very same thing. So what will be the key distinguishing factor to a group(s) of people who can afford them?
I'm genuinely confused at what you are asking.If I've decided that I want a hypercar, I have only 2 (or 3) choices. And they all do the very same thing. So what will be the key distinguishing factor to a group(s) of people who can afford them?
If I go into a shop to buy a pair of jeans, largely they all do the same thing.
But I'll buy the ones that look and fit the best.
DannyScene said:
Are you really asking me that when the answer is in my post that you quoted
They want one because, it looks and sounds nice, is fast and they can afford one
Does it have to be THE fastest in the world, or will they settle for second or third fastest?They want one because, it looks and sounds nice, is fast and they can afford one
I guess the point is, there are 2-3 cars in this race. What will make someone choose the McLaren over the Ferrari or vice versa.
XplusYplusZ said:
DannyScene said:
Are you really asking me that when the answer is in my post that you quoted
They want one because, it looks and sounds nice, is fast and they can afford one
Does it have to be THE fastest in the world, or will they settle for second or third fastest?They want one because, it looks and sounds nice, is fast and they can afford one
I guess the point is, there are 2-3 cars in this race. What will make someone choose the McLaren over the Ferrari or vice versa.
If they want the Mclaren then they'll buy it
If they want both then they'll buy both
Most are unlikely to ever drive them 'in anger' so being the fastest only matters for bragging rights down the country club
sc0tt said:
I'm genuinely confused at what you are asking.
If I go into a shop to buy a pair of jeans, largely they all do the same thing.
But I'll buy the ones that look and fit the best.
If you only had a choice between lederhosen, italian drainpipes, or a pair of practical english slacks, what would you go for and why would you choose them over the others?If I go into a shop to buy a pair of jeans, largely they all do the same thing.
But I'll buy the ones that look and fit the best.
DannyScene said:
If they want the ferrari then they'll buy it
If they want the Mclaren then they'll buy it
If they want both then they'll buy both
Most are unlikely to ever drive them 'in anger' so being the fastest only matters for bragging rights down the country club
DO the bragging rights matter more in a market full of high earning, competitive braggers?If they want the Mclaren then they'll buy it
If they want both then they'll buy both
Most are unlikely to ever drive them 'in anger' so being the fastest only matters for bragging rights down the country club
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