McLaren opens first local showroom

by **Cals** Thu 24 Oct 2013, 13:33

Published: Thursday October 24, 2013 MYT 12:00:00 AM
Updated: Thursday October 24, 2013 MYT 9:14:37 AM
McLaren opens first local showroom
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Stylish: Ho (left) and Stephenson at the opening of the showroom
PETALING JAYA: The iconic racing pedigree McLaren Automotive has set foot in Malaysia with the first showroom at Menara Mudajaya in Mutiara Damansara now officially opened to the public and discerning enthusiasts.
Opened by Sime Darby Motors via its unit, Sime Darby Auto Britannia Sdn Bhd, McLaren Kuala Lumpur is the third collaboration between Sime Darby Motors and McLaren after Hong Kong and Shanghai.
“There is continued growth in the supercar segment, and Sime Darby Motors see the potential in this market. We hope to capture some of this market share in Malaysia,” said Sime Darby Motors Malaysian region managing director Dennis Ho at the launch yesterday.
The opening marks the 41st retail location for McLaren set up worldwide within two years.
“Our collaboration in these three countries speaks volume of our cozy relationship, and we will love to expand on this relationship further if there are more opportunities in the future,” he said.
He said the supercar market was something any automotive player would want to be in with the prestige and status it brought, and it also in line with Sime Darby Motors’ image which already represented a number of luxury brands in Malaysia.
“Asia, including Malaysia, has an ever-growing pool of high net-worth individuals who are becoming more and more astute in the way they invest, especially in their passion which provides a fascinating opportunity for a brand like McLaren,” saidMcLaren Automotive Asia sales manager Sven J. Ritter.
The showroom will be retailing the McLaren 12C and 12C Spider, with a price tag starting from RM2mil onwards. Both supercars are derived from McLaren’s design and engineering expertise gained through its involvement in Formula 1 racing.
The British marque also showcased its top of the line McLaren P1, which is the 903 brake horse power hybrid supercar with a production limited to only 375 units worldwide.
Globally acclaimed car designer and McLaren Automotive design director Frank Stephenson and Sime Darby Auto Britannia director Datuk Mokhzani Mahathir were also present at the launch.