The first batches of McLaren MP4-12C supercars will be assembled at the company’s Technical Centre in Woking if a planned new factory can’t be built in time.
A contingency plan is being drawn up because the first customer cars are due to be delivered in November next year, even though work on the new plant has yet to start.
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McLaren received planning permission a couple of weeks ago for a new 18,000sq ft factory, which is due to be built close to its Woking HQ.
But there are doubts whether the new factory can be finished in time. Its construction will be a huge job because it is partially below ground level.
Once the shell is complete, machinery will need to be tested, staff trained and production methods honed to a high standard on pre-production cars from late next summer. That gives McLaren just 11 months to construct and fit out the building.
“We’re looking at whether the first cars can be built with the current network of McLaren facilities,” said the company.
McLaren could use the assembly area in the MTC where it has been building Mercedes SLRs. Between two and three cars a day can be assembled there. That would tide McLaren over until the economy recovers in 2011/12, when the brand new plant could be on stream.
Ultimately McLaren needs a new factory to fulfil its ambitions of making 4500 supercars a year, a similar level to Ferrari, although this is unlikely to be reached until 2015/16, when a range of at least three MP4 variants is planned.
Julian Rendell
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Re: McLaren to shift MP4 production
"The Italia has a head-start of at least a year and there are also the Merc-AMG SLS, and possibly new offerings from Lamborghini and Porsche by 2011-2012."
... and by then, there will be also a couple of jokes like the long waited? Arexis LF-A...
Re: McLaren to shift MP4 production
I had similar thoughts when I first read the story.
The MP4-12C is going to be priced at or above the Ferrari Italia. The Italia has a head-start of at least a year and there are also the Merc-AMG SLS, and possibly new offerings from Lamborghini and Porsche by 2011-2012.
I do admire McLaren for engineering the car to be different. But prospective buyers aren't just buying engineering. There are other emotional considerations (sex appeal) also. It was the same with the original McLaren F1, people didn't think much of it initially and the world press took years to warm to it. The world motoring press only began praising it after it won at Le Mans and production ended.
I hope the new McLaren will be a great success. Ron Dennis and his team deserve it!