McLaren MP4-12C Retail Network Announced

British supercar manufacturer McLaren Automotive announced over the weekend the extent of the dealership network through which it will market its MP4-12C model. According to McLaren, there will be eight retailers in North America (US and Canada), 12 in Europe (UK, Germany, Belgium, France, Italy, Switzerland), 2 in the Middle East and at least one in South Africa.

The names and exact locations of the dealerships are yet to be announced. In addition, twelve more stores in Spain and the Asia-Pacific region will also be announced. The 2011 McLaren MP4-12C is powered by a 3.8L V8 twin-turbo engine producing approximately 600 horsepower mated to a 7-speed Seamless Shift dual-clutch gearbox (SSG). The supercar can reportedly go from 0 to 60 mph in the low 3-second range with a top speed of more than 200 mph.

Prices haven’t yet been confirmed, but McLaren is expected to do so closer to the market launch. The supercar will most likely enter the £125,000 - £175,000 price range. The MP4-12C will be produced at the new McLaren Production Center (the old McLaren SLR production line) and will be sold through 35 franchises in 19 countries that will be confirmed throughout the summer.

The supercar will begin retailing in spring next year. At the end of March 2010, McLaren said it had 1,600 orders placed for the car. For now, production figures show the manufacturer will only produce 1,000.

Also in March, McLaren announced the start of construction at the McLaren Production Centre (MPC). The facility is supposed to be finished in 12 months, meanign the MP4-12C will get on the production line in spring 2011.