Selling six-figure supercars like the McLaren MP4-12C might sound easy. Just find a few hundred rich guys who are bored with thier F430s and you're done right? Problem is, you can't exactly sell them mail order, you need dealers, and persuading dealers to make a long-term commitment to a one model lineup isn't easy.
McLaren is finding this out the hard way as it's having trouble setting up a U.S. dealer network to sell its new MP4-12C supercar. The company originally planned to bring the car to the L.A. Auto Show in December for a U.S. debut, but it's now pulled out of the show. At this point it's looking like the MP4 won't arrive in the States until sometime in mid-2010. Ferrari probably isn't disappointed in the development.
cwc1 says:
05:50 PM, 10/29/09
How did they sell the F1 without dealers? Couldn't they do the same way?
estreka says:
09:06 AM, 10/30/09
McLaren had only 2 dealers when they released the F1 (I believe) in NYC and LA. I think one is a museum now.
rallyandbosox says:
03:30 PM, 10/31/09
McLaren should try for UAG...the deal with Saturn didn't go through and they do have an Exotic Car Showroom in Arizona and an extremely large network.