What,Can and Should Mclaren be Doing About Protecting Resale
Discussion
RBT0 said:
Ok I guess it’s for future LTs...as 600LT is overly available...
Yeah, to the point where they can and will discount the things, I imagine. Not sure as I'm taking a break from supercar ownership whilst spooling up my new tech company, but I did get a call from my dealer trying to move more 600LTs. Interestingly put across to me as a: Pick this up or you may not get your 750LT after all... Wink wink nudge nudge. So, interesting on that front.
isaldiri said:
McLaren are deluded if they think they can start playing that kind of silly game. 750 cars of each type isn't exactly rare.
Okay, well, I wasn't mentioning how many of each cars were going to be built given I assumed it wasn't public knowledge, but given it's now out there, yeah. 750 Coupes and 750 Spiders is a decent chunk of cars. That, however, being said - Look at the Speciale. 3000 built. Still overs. Yes, I understand quite well that it's a special car, last F-car with an N/A V8, etc etc etc. But then look to the GT3RS. Something like 4500 991.1 GT3RS. Overs. The 991.2 GT3RS is just stupid overs, at this point.
But then - you look at the 675LT. In terms of driving dynamics, no worse than these cars. Arguably, close enough. Okay, sure, the actual finer points of how each drive, all open to interpretation. But they're on the same plateau, performance wise. Built, however, in FAR fewer numbers than any of these cars. By a large factor, too. 3.5x the number of Speciales, 4.5x the number of GT3RS exist.
It's not about the numbers at this point. 1500 cars, in total, comparatively is not the issue here. I think, as dumb as they may appear to be playing this, they may just be kind of smart. Maybe.
Hear me out -
The 3RS, the Pista, etc, were and are built in large numbers. But in order to purchase these cars, there was a barrier to entry. Not every Tom, Dick, and Harry could go out and buy one. It's a social phenomenon imo. Float something people can't access. This 750LT will be something a new entrant to the brand will NOT be able to buy. It will make it immensely more valuable, reward loyal customers, etc. There is almost no doubt it will be a great car. But it will be worth more if the brand specifically restrict access to it so the people that DO get one, feel like billy big b
ks. It's a marketing exercise. And honestly, I theorise that this will actually help residuals of normal cars as it'll add some mystique to the brand. At least at the upper end of the range. IIRC anyone really could get a 675LT seeing as it was a relatively unknown quantity at the time. What do you do to entice people who can buy anything? Give them something they can't buy. It sends them nuts. They'll pay stupid money for it. It'll trickle down and help bolster brand image, anyway.
That being said, it's late and it's been a long day at work. So I've probably spewed s
te on to this page instead of any actual sense.fwiw: they should stick to 500 each imo. I'd feel better about it. 750 is defo not going to do great on residuals. That being said if they give me an allocation I'm buying one anyway, and not giving two flying f
ks about the value. Gonna thrash the thing on tracks and use the st out of it. 720S was the best car I ever owned. LT is gonna be mega special imo.
I’m having a bad day so forgive the grumps, but....
2 years ago I was told I couldn’t have a 600LT because I’d only had 1 McLaren and I wasn’t a current customer.
I went elsewhere and haven’t needed to return.
I really worry about what McLaren are doing to win people like me back. Scary times ahead if they think they can play games like a Ferrari or Porsche.
2 years ago I was told I couldn’t have a 600LT because I’d only had 1 McLaren and I wasn’t a current customer.
I went elsewhere and haven’t needed to return.
I really worry about what McLaren are doing to win people like me back. Scary times ahead if they think they can play games like a Ferrari or Porsche.
breadvan said:
I’m having a bad day so forgive the grumps, but....
2 years ago I was told I couldn’t have a 600LT because I’d only had 1 McLaren and I wasn’t a current customer.
I went elsewhere and haven’t needed to return.
I really worry about what McLaren are doing to win people like me back. Scary times ahead if they think they can play games like a Ferrari or Porsche.
I absolutely sympathise with this. I've been susceptible to this as well.2 years ago I was told I couldn’t have a 600LT because I’d only had 1 McLaren and I wasn’t a current customer.
I went elsewhere and haven’t needed to return.
I really worry about what McLaren are doing to win people like me back. Scary times ahead if they think they can play games like a Ferrari or Porsche.
It's a case, at this point, of them trying different strategies and working out what works. FWIW, if you call their bluff, you will have gotten a 600LT.
This, in all fairness, is what Ferrari did with the 812. I was first told I couldn't have one. Then I was told I could have one if I bought a 488. Now I can buy one for list.
The entire market is down at the moment, and it's just really f
king unfortunate timing for McLaren, trying to play these games. The only company I've dealt with that didn't play stupid games with their "limited edition" cars was Lamborghini, and their SVJ. Straight up told me £20k initial deposit and we can try to get you a car. No promises, but it's very possible.
And, I honestly don't think McLaren need to do this. This whole "buy A for B" s
te. But their investors are another bag. Personally, had I been in charge, probably do 500 of each LT. All LTs will come in 2 flavors, 500 each. The 600LT, the 750LT, the whatever LT. All numbered.
Then, the rest of the cars are built to order. No stock stuff. Not for the moment. Lead times will suck. Cashflow will take a bit of a hit. But residuals will be absolutely amazing. There is a car for anyone that wants one.. If they'll wait long enough. 2-3 months isn't horrid. I'd also open the spec room at MTC for anyone speccing their car, should they be inclined to do so. Not just Ultimate series customers. Those lot can have another room with hookers and blackjack.
Then again I'm a software nerd with absolutely 0 grasp on reality when it comes to running a car business. Just another dreamer..
CyCy said:
It's not about the numbers at this point. 1500 cars, in total, comparatively is not the issue here. I think, as dumb as they may appear to be playing this, they may just be kind of smart. Maybe.
Hear me out -
The 3RS, the Pista, etc, were and are built in large numbers. But in order to purchase these cars, there was a barrier to entry. Not every Tom, Dick, and Harry could go out and buy one. It's a social phenomenon imo. Float something people can't access. This 750LT will be something a new entrant to the brand will NOT be able to buy. It will make it immensely more valuable, reward loyal customers, etc. There is almost no doubt it will be a great car. But it will be worth more if the brand specifically restrict access to it so the people that DO get one, feel like billy big bks. It's a marketing exercise. And honestly, I theorise that this will actually help residuals of normal cars as it'll add some mystique to the brand. At least at the upper end of the range. IIRC anyone really could get a 675LT seeing as it was a relatively unknown quantity at the time.
What do you do to entice people who can buy anything? Give them something they can't buy. It sends them nuts. They'll pay stupid money for it. It'll trickle down and help bolster brand image, anyway.
I don't disagree with what you're saying in principle but then the problem is that past history suggests that Mclaren are going to end up pissing off everyone involved by trying that on first but not having the resolve to stick with it. All that will then do is annoy those initial interested buyers by telling them they can't get the cars without buying car x,y,z but end up having to push them out finally anyway in order to get the last few sold by offering them straight out if not actually having to discount the last few cars which is going to seriously annoy the first batch of buyers.Hear me out -
The 3RS, the Pista, etc, were and are built in large numbers. But in order to purchase these cars, there was a barrier to entry. Not every Tom, Dick, and Harry could go out and buy one. It's a social phenomenon imo. Float something people can't access. This 750LT will be something a new entrant to the brand will NOT be able to buy. It will make it immensely more valuable, reward loyal customers, etc. There is almost no doubt it will be a great car. But it will be worth more if the brand specifically restrict access to it so the people that DO get one, feel like billy big b
ks. It's a marketing exercise. And honestly, I theorise that this will actually help residuals of normal cars as it'll add some mystique to the brand. At least at the upper end of the range. IIRC anyone really could get a 675LT seeing as it was a relatively unknown quantity at the time. What do you do to entice people who can buy anything? Give them something they can't buy. It sends them nuts. They'll pay stupid money for it. It'll trickle down and help bolster brand image, anyway.
At the end of the day, despite the much larger numbers of Speciales, Pistas, 3rs, 2rs being made, the pool of buyers for those cars remains far higher than anything Mclaren can tap into. As you say, just look at the 675. It's a superlative car, imo every bit the equal to drive of any of the others mentioned and yet compared to them it's nowhere in terms of residuals. To be quite honest to really make the 'hard to buy' thing stick, Mclaren will have to be making a total of 750 cars, not 750 of each type.
If they make 1,500 they’ll be just as available as the 600LT by the end. It would be more honest just to say being a good customer will get you a car earlier.
It’s pointless to compare outright production numbers with Pistas and 3RSs. They’re effectively made in much more limited numbers than LTs relative to the pool of potential customers.
It’s pointless to compare outright production numbers with Pistas and 3RSs. They’re effectively made in much more limited numbers than LTs relative to the pool of potential customers.
Yeah, very fair point really. The buyer pool is one thing I hadn't really considered. This is assuming perfect market conditions for the seller, wherein brand loyalty wasn't really a thing. Am personally very brand fluid. Would have one of each of 'em if I could.
I guess, when I think about it all - McLaren playing their cards right should have an easier time of it than Ferrari or Lamborghini given the propensity and advent of Social Media/Internet marketing. It's much, much easier to build a brand and get eyeballs on it.
Having the 720S be an absolute beast has done them so well. Many videos circulating of the thing destroying pretty much everything out there. Hell, it was one of those videos that switched me on to the car.
Equally, and in absolutely the opposite direction, all the stty stories about the cars breaking down all the time, etc have also spread to the general public. I've had more than a few interactions of people wondering whether "all the stories were really true", and my mum was one of those people! And out of nowhere too!
I guess, when I think about it all - McLaren playing their cards right should have an easier time of it than Ferrari or Lamborghini given the propensity and advent of Social Media/Internet marketing. It's much, much easier to build a brand and get eyeballs on it.
Having the 720S be an absolute beast has done them so well. Many videos circulating of the thing destroying pretty much everything out there. Hell, it was one of those videos that switched me on to the car.
Equally, and in absolutely the opposite direction, all the s
tty stories about the cars breaking down all the time, etc have also spread to the general public. I've had more than a few interactions of people wondering whether "all the stories were really true", and my mum was one of those people! And out of nowhere too!breadvan said:
I’m having a bad day so forgive the grumps, but....
2 years ago I was told I couldn’t have a 600LT because I’d only had 1 McLaren and I wasn’t a current customer.
I went elsewhere and haven’t needed to return.
I really worry about what McLaren are doing to win people like me back. Scary times ahead if they think they can play games like a Ferrari or Porsche.
I was told by the Mc dealership that I'd bought several cars from that I was too slow deciding I wanted one so they couldn't get me a car but could "add" me to the waiting list. Some time later they predictably told me they'd luckily managed to secure an extra car (they said singular, history shows they were probably lying) and would I like it. I said no. 2 years ago I was told I couldn’t have a 600LT because I’d only had 1 McLaren and I wasn’t a current customer.
I went elsewhere and haven’t needed to return.
I really worry about what McLaren are doing to win people like me back. Scary times ahead if they think they can play games like a Ferrari or Porsche.
My point is that for some reason McLaren dealers seem to like playing games, telling you anything you want is impossible, only to find a magic car down the back of the sofa a little later. Oddly they don't seem to realise this makes them look like liars and their brand look like it has loads of unsold cars (which currently it seems to). Shame they've gone down this route
DeltaOne said:
My point is that for some reason McLaren dealers seem to like playing games, telling you anything you want is impossible, only to find a magic car down the back of the sofa a little later. Oddly they don't seem to realise this makes them look like liars and their brand look like it has loads of unsold cars (which currently it seems to).
^^ exactly this. Yes +1. Was told 600LT couple would never be below list and future classic, only to be offered a below list car by the same salesman about 6 weeks later.
isaldiri said:
DeltaOne said:
My point is that for some reason McLaren dealers seem to like playing games, telling you anything you want is impossible, only to find a magic car down the back of the sofa a little later. Oddly they don't seem to realise this makes them look like liars and their brand look like it has loads of unsold cars (which currently it seems to).
^^ exactly this. Gassing Station | McLaren | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff