Monday 20th June 2011

McLaren's Dealer Network Is Go

Flagship Hyde Park showroom is the first of 35-strong network

---

A McLaren showroom, tomorrow

Mclaren will launch its flagship London showroom at One Hyde Park tomorrow, as it launches the first dealer in its global retail network.

By the end of 2011, McLaren is set to have opened 35 'bespoke retailers' (that's posh McLaren-speak for dealers), worldwide for sales and service of the MP4-12C (and, we presume, any future models to come out of the firm's Woking HQ).

The prestigious address (One Hyde Park: The Residences at Mandarin Oriental, London) has, we're told by McLaren, been "selected for its ability to demonstrate an outstanding track record in offering excellent customer service and aftersales support".

Following the London launch, two more McLaren retailers for the UK will open in Manchester on June 30, and Birmingham on July 5. The remaining 32 sites in the global network will be up and running by the end of 2011, beginning in July and through the summer with the European network in Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and Switzerland.

Feeding the new network will be the sole responsibility of the new £40m McLaren Production Centre (MPC) at the company's Woking HQ, where up to 4000 cars a year will be built once all McLaren's models come on stream by the middle of the decade.

 

[EcosseBMW]

4000 cars...WOW!!! Not alot to say other than the dealers will be in good steed as I'm saving up for one now...I may never make even the deposit figure, but i'll get close lol

Hopefully here isn't a McLaren Greenpeace Cygnet in the line within those 4000 per annum cars!!! McLaren may lose its exclusivity and become another easy to reach brand.

[AUDIHenry]

I saw one under construction in Beverly Hills, just a couple of blocks from the Ferrari / Maserati dealership!

[Mermaid]

Hope the economic cycle works for them, but I would not wish to invest if I could.

[Zeemax_Mini]

Mods - typo:

By the end of 2011, McLaren is set to have opened 35 'bepsoke retailers' (that's posh McLaren-speak for dealers)

Dom

PS - I'm not a spelling/grammar Nazi!

[truck71]

Ideal place to have a car dealer- smack on one of the busiest junctions in london. Hourly labour rate guess anyone?

I'm only jealous!

[cookie1600]

I better get down there nice and early tomorrow then

[Hellbound]

If I win the Euromillions I'd buy the leases for the other retail units alongside and open a McDonalds, PoundLand and Lidl. I'm sure the owners would shut me down but still, that'll learn 'em!

[melvster]

Hellbound said:

If I win the Euromillions I'd buy the leases for the other retail units alongside and open a McDonalds, PoundLand and Lidl. I'm sure the owners would shut me down but still, that'll learn 'em!

[iandc]

truck71 said:

Ideal place to have a car dealer- smack on one of the busiest junctions in london. Hourly labour rate guess anyone?

I'm only jealous!

and great for terst drives!! "and this is how first gear works sir!" I can understand why they want to attract the rich arabs etc who frequent that part of London but where the hell do you drive it before you buy (or maybe if you got that sort of money you dont care and just buy on colour!.

[melvster]

The Manchester showroom (well it is in Knutsford) was supposed to open on June 6th.

[mantis84]

I go past One Hyde Park every morning on my way to work. Does look very flash indeed, although apart from the F1 car on the wall all the others were being protected by dust covers.

Being almost exactly half-way between The Dorchester and Harrods, it's very much in pole position for attracting the big spenders when the annual invasion of oil-rich posers turn up to lap the West End raceway.

[DaveR]

That window on One Hyde Park must be responsible for consuming 90% of all the Windolene used in West London every morning.

On some evenings it's hard to see through the greasy finger marks, nose prints and dribble. Can't think why!

[Justin S]

Birmingham????? Is that the next properous place after London and Manchester???

[Fittster]

Justin S said:

Birmingham????? Is that the next properous place after London and Manchester???

Since when did Manchester's street become paved with gold? We've all seen coronation street, we know what it's like.

London, West Midlands, North West, seems like a fairly sensible network. Can see it being added to in the S/E and maybe one in Scotland.

[Justin S]

Fittster said:

Since when did Manchester's street become paved with gold? We've all seen coronation street, we know what it's like.

London, West Midlands, North West, seems like a fairly sensible network. Can see it being added to in the S/E and maybe one in Scotland.

I detect a few footballers getting their hands on them up there............but Birmingham ???

[Transmitter Man]

truck71 said:

Ideal place to have a car dealer- smack on one of the busiest junctions in london. Hourly labour rate guess anyone?

I'm only jealous!

I live close by but I cannot afford a Macca.

Saw one down the Brompton Road yesterday.

After having seen them several times now including at Goodwood last month I personally don't think they look that special but will probably age well compared to some other current supercars.

Phil

[Fittster]

Justin S said:

Fittster said:

Since when did Manchester's street become paved with gold? We've all seen coronation street, we know what it's like.

London, West Midlands, North West, seems like a fairly sensible network. Can see it being added to in the S/E and maybe one in Scotland.

I detect a few footballers getting their hands on them up there............but Birmingham ???

I think you need to think about villages and towns around Birmingham rather than the city itself. I doubt either Birmingham or Manchester have enough rich residents to support a Mcdealer.

I've actually seen a McLaren on the outskirts of Brum and one in the Lake District. I don't think I've ever seen as many prototypes for a particular model as I have this car.

Edited by Fittster on Monday 20th June 11:08

[Transmitter Man]

iandc said:

and great for terst drives!! "and this is how first gear works sir!" I can understand why they want to attract the rich arabs etc who frequent that part of London but where the hell do you drive it before you buy (or maybe if you got that sort of money you dont care and just buy on colour!.

Up and down the Brompton Road like the rest of them.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZbB1RwpuTRY

Phil

[fatboy18]

Good to see a British company expanding in these times of so called recession 'for some'

Have to say I have always wondered about car showrooms in Park Lane, all well and good if your walking, but if your driving there's no where to bloody stop Its all double and triple yellow lines You cant even blast up and down past the showrooms now due to Speed cameras and traffic lights

[MJK 24]

Justin S said:

Birmingham????? Is that the next properous place after London and Manchester???

Bentley, Ferrari and Lamborghini have sites in Birmingham. At the moment, their respective ranges offer more expensive vehicles than the new McLaren. Surely on that basis, the McLaren business model of a Birmingham site is sound?