McLaren MP4-12C - on track in the US

The McLaren MP4-12C is on track in the US for a launch as planned

Despite rumours flying around that McLaren are putting back the launch of the MP4-12C in the US, McLaren confirm it is firmly on track.

The motoring press, particularly the US motoring press, have been getting their knickers in a twist over the realisation that McLaren aren’t taking their new creation – the McLaren MP4-12C – to the Los Angeles Motor Show. That is apparently a sign that McLaren are struggling to set up a dealer network in the States and are therefore going to delay the launch on the Colonial side of the Pond. Poppycock.

The simple fact is that McLaren never had any intention of showing the MP4-12C at Los Angeles, any more than they intended showing it at the Frankfurt Motor Show. It’s far too far away from the launch to garner any benefit. Much better to give out the MP4-12C details as they did in September and then tease out more information as the launch draws closer.

As for the problems with developing a dealer network for McLaren in the US, that couldn’t be further from the truth. We know of a number of high-profile, high-end US dealerships who are working hard to take on a McLaren dealership. Even in difficult times the McLaren will sell. Particularly in the US, which has had a big love affair with the original McLaren F1.

Far from there being ‘Trouble in the Former Colonies’ it looks to us as if the biggest problem McLaren will have is building enough of the MP4-12C to satisfy demand.