McLaren Automotive, the car-making branch of the McLaren Group, is expecting its sales in Asia to more than double this year fueled by demand from China. Although overall deliveries will be little changed this year, Asia’s share of McLaren’s global sales will rise to 25 percent from 10 percent in 2012.
Mirko Bodiga, McLaren’s Asia Pacific regional director, said the company plans to sell 1,400 units worldwide in 2013. McLaren plans to open its first four dealerships in China this year and add four more by mid-2014, as luxury car sales in China are forecasted to exceed those in the U.S. as soon as 2016.
“This year, we will finally see sales from China. We are waiting for the official documents to start the company,” said Bordiga at the McLaren P1 launch in Tokyo, Japan, according to a report from Bloomberg. Although the Chinese government considers imposing a 20 percent consumption tax on ultra-luxury vehicles priced above 1.7 million yuan ($278,000), McLaren does not fear the decision could influence its long-term sales plan.
“We will have to wait and see if and how they will apply the regulation, and then decide what to do. It won’t have a big impact in the long term,” Bordiga added.
The market for ultra-luxury cars in China is expected to be between 4,000 and 5,000 units in 2013.
By Dan Mihalascu
Story References: Bloomberg
PHOTO GALLERY
