McLaren, like many makers of luxury goods, is having a difficult time moving their fine wares in China as of late, all thanks to a crackdown against lavish spending begun last year by the country’s Communist government.
While the elite of China presumably have no difficulty hiding expensive watches or fine liquor in their homes, driving around in a P1, a Mulsanne or an Aventador practically screams the word ‘corruption’ to government officials. That said, McLaren still plans to expand in the coming year from three to 12 dealerships throughout China, based on visibility of their Formula One program and the citizen’s love for new brands.
Speaking of visibility, McLaren joined Bentley at the 2013 China International Automobile Exhibition in Guangzhou this weekend to show off their latest and greatest to help drive sales in the emerging market. The British automaker expects to sell 1,400 vehicles throughout the world in 2014.
Photo credit: McLaren
That sure is a pretty MP4-12C. Not.
The first order of business is always to keep up appearances. There are times I wonder if Barack Obama would ever have made it out of the Senate if he’d kept his Chrysler 300.