McLaren's MP4-12C. Image: © Copyright McLaren Automotive Limited
If you needed proof that every car is the sum of parts from the lowest bidder, here it is: McLaren is slowing production of its $231,400 MP4-12C to address what the company describes as “quality issues.” Tony Joseph, McLaren’s North American director, was quick to tell Autoweek, “There are no safety concerns for the delay. We’ve had some quality-related issues in a few cars we wanted to address before we continue to deliver customer cars.”
The bulk of the reported problems are issues like condensation forming in the headlights, door operation problems and a battery drain problem caused by a faulty electrical head unit. McLaren has a temporary fix for cars already delivered to customers (lock the doors when parked, which shuts down the cars electronics), but is working on a more permanent solution to implement in production.
Some 59 McLaren MP4-12Cs have been delivered in Europe, and not all the cars have experienced these problems. North American deliveries are now delayed until McLaren can address the issues identified, so 179 customers on this side of the pond will need to wait an additional two or three weeks before taking delivery. If the delay produces a better final product, I’m sure no one will complain.
Kurt Ernst has been passionate about automobiles and driving nearly his entire life. His early years were shaped working in the family service station, though his real passion was auto racing. After graduating from the University of Colorado, Kurt spent a year club racing with the Sports Car Club of America, before focusing on a business career in marketing and project management. Later, his passion for writing and the automotive hobby found him freelancing for a variety of automotive news sites, including Automotive Addicts and Motor Authority, where his work was syndicated and appeared in several national publications. Recognized as an expert in the automotive field, Kurt joined Hemmings Motor News as an Associate Editor in 2013, and in the years since has progressed to Editor, Hemmings Daily; Managing Editor for Hemmings Motor News, Hemmings Classic Car, Hemmings Muscle Machines, and the Hemmings Daily; and now, Managing Editor, Hemmings Auctions. Kurt was instrumental in organizing the Hemmings Motor News Concours d’Elegance from 2013-2019, and has served as a judge at this event and The Vintage Racing Stable Concours d’Elegance. A Skip Barber Racing School graduate and prolific writer, Ernst is also skilled in copyediting, project management, brand development, and public relations.
