McLaren MP4-12C on the way

The world's newest supercar company has Australia in its sights and is finalising a down under distribution plan for its first car, the McLaren MP4-12C.  McLaren Cars intends to have three supercars in production within five years and is going all-out to rival Ferrari and Lamborghini, tapping its winning experience in Formula One for everything from a new V8 engine to grand prix-style aerodynamics.

The MP4-12C has already been revealed and McLaren executives have recently been in Australia to scout for a local agent.  One of the companies it targeted is the Trivett Automotive group, which is already the Australian importer and sole dealer for Rolls- Royce, the Aston Martin importer for NSW, Victoria and the ACT, and the Bentley importer for NSW and the ACT.

"Yes we have spoken to McLaren. We are very keen, because I think it will be a terrific brand and I think it's a terrific product to fit alongside the brands we already represent," says the head man at Trivett Automotive, Greg Duncan.

"It will be low volume but a terrific car. And there is a roll-out plan for three models.  We were contacted by McLaren and they indicated they had been referred to us. I believe they have talked to a couple of companies in Sydney and Melbourne."

Duncan does not know the other companies involved in the McLaren pitch but he believes Trivett has a good chance.  "From what we can gather, their preference is to appoint an importer- dealer in Sydney, and then in due course that operation would roll out a dealership in Melbourne. They are the two priority locations for McLaren."

Duncan says McLaren has big plans for its supercar operation, which is run by former F1 boss Ron Dennis. He is the front man for the 12C project and also led McLaren's previous road-car efforts with the McLaren F1 - which was the world's fastest road car for a decade - and the joint-venture Mercedes-McLaren SLR.

"What they were able to show us as the insights into the McLaren company was very impressive. It's a business that makes money, and they are very aggressive," Duncan says. 

"There are three models in the plan. They are talking about a volume planning of around 25-30 per cent of Ferrari's volumes.  The first model they will introduce into Australia, early 2011, is the mid-priced model. It's about $500,000.  The second model they would probably introduce within 12 months, will be left-hand drive only so no real interest to Australia. In the following year they will have their third model, the lower priced and highest-volume car."

Duncan says Trivett expects a decision from McLaren early next year on its agency.  "They have gone back to think about it. They indicated they would be back in touch within two or three months with the party they want to progress with," he says.