The McLaren MP4-12C makes its local debut

The vision and ambition of McLaren Automotive's Executive Chairman, Ron Dennis: "McLaren's first and founding principle was to compete successfully in motor sport and particularly Formula 1. That goal has taken us to great heights; from an engineering and innovation perspective, and by rewarding our people for their endeavours over many long seasons of top level motor racing. But despite all the trophies and great racing successes, there comes a time when the maturity of a company and its future development depends on broadening its activities."

"We have long held the dream of building a range of innovative McLaren sports cars. Sports cars that take the raw elements of Formula 1 principles, processes and performance and forge them into a unique package that adds the requirements of quality, efficiency, comfort and reliability - traditionally opposing goals that I know we can deliver."

"McLaren's modern history began 30 years ago with an operation of 50 people dedicated solely to winning Grands Prix. Everything we have achieved as a well- honed and fiercely competitive team over the past three decades has prepared us for this moment. McLaren Group and McLaren Automotive now employ around 1,500 people - all dedicated and passionate about being the best. And about launching a new car company and our first car, of which I am very proud. The 12C and the future range of McLaren sports cars will support the long-term development of McLaren and our people."

"This new business will also bring into the UK new investment, a new manufacturing facility - the McLaren Production Centre - and new skilled jobs within the UK's network of high-tech manufacturing and engineering businesses. I believe that McLaren Automotive is a good example of how the UK can develop a new, innovative and globally influential manufacturing base, through technological innovation in design and build-processes."
"Launching a new car company is a great challenge that is exciting everyone at McLaren. Everything is in place and on schedule for the first of our new range of cars to go on sale in the first half of 2011. These are exciting times - for McLaren, for car enthusiasts and, just as importantly, for people who are passionate about technology, innovation and engineering," Dennis concluded.

Although McLaren's heritage lies principally on the race circuit, the blend of qualities such as ambition, drive and commitment, with more tangible assets such as aerodynamic skills, rapid development through simulation techniques, supreme electronics expertise and a ruthless quest for reliability, have equipped the company to turn Ron Dennis', and McLaren's shareholders' and board members' dreams into reality.

The first car in the range, the 12C has been designed and developed by a world-class team of engineers and test drivers, and will be built to world-class levels of quality and reliability. All development processes have benefited from McLaren's expertise in Formula 1, and constant integration with the racing team's techniques and personnel will set new standards in performance for the road.

Antony Sheriff summed up the focus for McLaren Automotive, inspired by high expectations laid down through the years at McLaren, "The overriding principle that has driven us to where we are today is that every car will be ‘pure' McLaren. "This means that each and every component has been conceived, designed and produced to McLaren's specification to meet the extreme requirements of the 12C. There are no carryover components, because they were not good enough. Similarly, our test programmes, production processes and aftersales plans are also brand new and bespoke to McLaren. We have considered everything from a blank sheet of paper to be the best. Being "as good" as everyone else is not good enough; we need to be the best. This approach has given us a remarkable car with ground-breaking performance in all areas."

"Whether it's the revolutionary carbon MonoCell, the ProActive Chassis Control, or a desire to design cars that can be repaired more quickly and accurately than our competitors, we will deliver cars and a service to our customers of which we are personally proud."

"So, our performance goals do not just relate to the 12C, but to the car ownership experience itself: McLaren Automotive will offer new standards of customer service through its dedicated network of the world's best car retailers."

"When I came here, Ron inspired me with his belief that winning Formula 1 races was simply doing your job. After that, it was a question of how you won. That's the winning attitude that permeates throughout McLaren Automotive and sets us apart from our competitors," Sheriff concluded.

McLaren Automotive is launching more than just a new car this spring: 2011 will see the arrival of a new global car company. To build a brand new car is a challenge; to build a brand new high-performance sports car that is ground-breaking, efficient, high-quality, lightweight, practical, dynamic, safe, comfortable, and visually arresting is a greater challenge still.

In spring 2011, McLaren Automotive will take the challenge to a rare, and possibly unique, level. Just a few months from the launch of the MP4-12C, the new company is already working on the design and development of a range of premium high- performance sports cars that are bespoke, innovative and unique. It will then produce them in the McLaren Production Centre (MPC), a brand new manufacturing facility linked to the McLaren Technology Centre (MTC), the home of McLaren Racing and the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes Formula 1 team. Not only that, but a global network of dedicated McLaren retailers have been appointed to service customers and cars to a higher level of quality than any premium sports car business has ever offered.

In spring 2011, McLaren Automotive will open the doors to the all-new £40m MPC on a site adjacent to the company's headquarters in Woking, England. A range of innovative McLaren sports cars will be built at the MPC, beginning with production of up to 1,000 12Cs for worldwide distribution this year, to be distributed and serviced by an initial 35 global retailers in all major established markets.

Credits: Edited by Raymond Lai Photos by Raymond Lai and McLaren