The McLaren MP4-12C has arrived in China. It was unveiled yesterday evening at a very private ‘rich-car-buyers-party’. The MP4-12C will be officially listed on the Chinese car market in the second half of this year. McLaren will use the time in between to find dealers, they don’t have any yet. They did however whisper the expected price in China: 3.25 million yuan, or 516.000 USD.
The McLaren has to compete with the usual suspects from Ferrari and Lamborghini. Both are selling like hot rice in China, the Chinese market will likely be the biggest worldwide for both brands this year. No wonder McLaren wants in on the cash but it won’t be easy. The old F1 is virtually unknown in China since by the time that car was hot nobody in China was rich, so it won’t work for a halo. Chinese car buyers however do like high-tech things which is exactly what the MP4-12C is. Sales so, will likely not disappoint…
But! McLaren needs to learn a thing or two about the Chinese car market and about China in general. Have a good look at the first two pics, see anything strange? Here we go:
The steering wheel is on the wrong side of the car. This won’t do well with Chinese customers who will think you don’t care about ‘m. Simply unbelievable stupid. This particular car was likely airplaned over from Hong Kong where McLaren has a dealer and where folks do drive on the left. Bad start indeed…
Via: Autohome.