Strong demand

McLaren Automotive, in which Bahrain’s sovereign wealth fund Mumtalakat is a key stakeholder, ended 2014 with record sales as it has done every year since the company began production of luxury supercars in 2010. 

A total of 1,648 vehicles were delivered to customers around the world, an increase of 21 per cent over 2013 which was the company’s first year of profitability. In addition another 14 new retail locations were added bringing McLaren’s total global sales network to 68 sites. 

Following the international unveiling of the 650S in Coupé and Spider form at the Geneva Motor Show where the two models were launched simultaneously, strong demand for McLaren’s core model range saw sales reach 1,400 units including some examples of the outgoing 12C.

In addition, 248 examples of the 916PS petrol-electric McLaren P1 were delivered to customers – around two thirds of the car’s total 375 unit production run.

The North American region remained McLaren’s largest market accounting for more than 30 per cent of overall sales, while sales in both Europe and the Middle East grew year-on-year by 10 per cent and nine per cent, respectively.

McLaren Automotive is continuing to invest significantly in research and development for new models. This year will see the launch of McLaren’s most attainable model yet, the new Sports Series which will debut at the New York International Auto Show in April.

At the top of its range, the strictly limited edition track-only McLaren P1 GTR will also enter production after the final road-going McLaren P1 has been built.
Mike Flewitt, chief executive officer of McLaren Automotive described  the third consecutive year of growth for the brand as ‘a fantastic achievement’.
 
He added that with the launch of the Sports Series, 2015 looks set to be ‘another strong year’ for the company.