The speed at which McLaren Mumbai is selling cars is impressive, reminiscent of an F1 car manufacturer. Although the dealership has recently opened its doors and only started its official sales, it has already sold approximately ten cars in India according to company officials.
McLaren is widely recognized for its achievements in the world of Formula One. The brand is popular for producing cars that cater to driving enthusiasts who prefer high-performance vehicles without any unnecessary features like music systems or fancy gadgets. These cars are designed to be lightweight and powered by powerful engines that can generate more than 600 BHP, depending on the model.
McLaren Automotive, a renowned British manufacturer of luxury supercars, has announced its expansion into India, marking its entry into the 41st global market. The brand’s growth strategy includes opening McLaren Mumbai, the first retail outlet in India, in October. McLaren’s arrival in India is a significant step towards achieving its global expansion plans and increasing its footprint in the Asia Pacific region.
Enthusiasts consider this move a positive development for the specialized market. According to Gautam Singhania, owner of a McLaren vehicle and chairman of the Raymond Group, McLaren’s entry into India is excellent news as it broadens the market’s scope.
According to Lalit Choudary, the head of McLaren Mumbai under Infinity Group, the brand’s popularity is due to its combination of an aggressive style with British heritage, making it truly distinct. This unique mix has always been appreciated in India, where there is a long-standing admiration for luxury products made in Britain. McLaren cars are crafted at the McLaren Technology Centre, which was inaugurated by Queen Elizabeth II, and each vehicle is meticulously hand-built at the adjacent McLaren Production Centre located in Woking, Surrey, south of London.
The McLaren brand has already delivered 10 cars, but they have received allocations for an additional 7-8 vehicles. Although the supply constraints have made it difficult to secure these allocations, the variety of models offered by the brand in good numbers, including the super exclusive 765LT spyder, has thrilled us. We are happy to announce that all the cars we receive, approximately 17-18 vehicles, will be sold by the end of the year.
Last June, T-Series entertainment mogul Bhushan Kumar gifted Kartik Aaryan, the lead actor of Bhool Bhoolaiya 2, an orange 720 S GT car. This luxury vehicle can accelerate from 0-100 km/h in just 3 seconds and costs approximately ₹4.7 crore. McLaren offers various models, such as the GT, 720 S, 765 LT, and is set to release its first hybrid car, the Artura. Bruce McLaren founded the company in 1963. McLaren Mumbai has formed a team of 20 experts solely dedicated to the brand. The prices of these cars range between ₹4-6 crore, with the 720S being the most expensive and the Artura falling in-between and expected to launch later this year.
Although India faces obstacles such as an inadequate infrastructure, high excise duties that inflate import prices, and a cultural perception that luxury is immoral, the trend towards owning supercars is slowly changing. Marquee brands such as Lamborghini have shown that they can generate sales success, largely due to their SUV (Lamborghini Urus) sales boost and aggressive marketing campaigns centered around driving activities. However, McLaren is unfazed by these challenges and believes that their commitment to their sporting heritage sets them apart from their competitors. They are not interested in pursuing SUVs or chasing volume, but instead focus on maintaining a clear understanding of their global brand potential. Annually, McLaren sells between 3,000 and 4,000 cars worldwide and are confident that they can achieve success without producing an SUV.
According to Choudary, the ideal customer for a McLaren is someone who seeks top-notch handling, but doesn’t feel the need to prove themselves to others and is comfortable in their own skin. He emphasizes that what sets McLaren apart is its ability to combine speed with comfort on Indian roads, thanks to its great ground clearance and capacity to handle bumps, while still delivering the acceleration drivers crave. The main challenge facing McLaren in India at present is meeting the high demand for their cars by securing sufficient allocation.
