MP4-12C customer deliveries

[timothymoffat]

Has anyone actually taken delivery of an MP4-12C yet? I think the "rollout" for this car has been FAR too long. I understand the need to generate interest in this major undertaking by Mclaren but close to two years since the first official photos without actually delivering a customer car is stretching it a bit IMHO. It runs a very real risk of being seen as "yesterday's news" in this segment, no matter how good it is.

[Peloton25]

UK deliveries were supposed to be happening now but McLaren has encountered a supplier problem, reportedly with the IRIS system that will fill the center of the dash, and have had to delay the cars while that is sorted.

On one forum I read that they have axed the original supplier for failing to perform and replaced them with someone entirely new, which is a drastic measure and sure to set things back. The new supplier is working feverishly to produce the system that McLaren was hoping for originally. There are supposed to be quite a few customer cars fully assembled at the MTC now, just waiting for this new IRIS setup to be installed.

As for the long lead time outside of this unforeseen delay, you have to remember that in most of the world (outside of those who follow Formula One) McLaren were not just launching a new model, they were also introducing a new brand and recruiting and building their own worldwide dealer and support network. That branding process, especially for a car of this caliber, is not something you can do overnight and pull off with the level of success that McLaren are striving for.

First deliveries in North America are still on target for late summer/early fall which was their original goal. Hopefully they can work quickly through their backlog and keep that on track.

>8^)
ER