Rumour: McLaren Automotive to be sold

Alfisti · 11-15-2021, 01:18 PM

I went to bed last night and a rumour circulated that McLaren Automotive was to be purchased by BMW and the F1 Team by Audi with a view to buying the RBR engine program and running the engine in the back of a "McLaren Audi" with RBR running as RBR Porsche.

Woke up this morning and Autocar is suggesting Audi will take the lot, both entities.

My concern is the sportscar market, VAG will potentially own everyone bar Ferrari.

gameson · 11-15-2021, 01:58 PM

wow, that's how bad mclaren financial is that suffers during covid?
first they sold the mclaren center and then lease it back
now they want to sell the entire brand or company?

https://www.espn.com/f1/story/_/id/3...takeover-story

they deny it though

freakystyly · 11-15-2021, 03:36 PM

Sounds like there was some back and forth but the details need to still be hammered out with Audi.

https://www.motor1.com/news/547922/a...-group-report/

Humdizzle · 11-15-2021, 05:12 PM

people have been saying they are going bankrupt for over a year now and it hasn't happened. their business model is pretty bad though.

SickGTR · 11-15-2021, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Humdizzle

people have been saying they are going bankrupt for over a year now and it hasn't happened. their business model is pretty bad though.

Wonder if they will
Sell for half of what they paid like all their used cars. Lol

BMWILUVU · 11-15-2021, 06:27 PM

Makes sense for BMW to get its apex engines back into a supercar. I don't know what the white-shirts are thinking. i8 is not a supercar.

stein_325i · 11-15-2021, 09:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Humdizzle

people have been saying they are going bankrupt for over a year now and it hasn't happened. their business model is pretty bad though.

I'd be surprised if McLaren went bankrupt before Aston Martin who seems to be doing pretty bad.

Sedoy · 11-15-2021, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMWILUVU

Makes sense for BMW to get its apex engines back into a supercar. I don't know what the white-shirts are thinking. i8 is not a supercar.

If BMW really cared about building a supercar they could have done one a long time ago... for Christ's sake even Acura got NSX. But thеse days, then everything is switching to electrics I will be very surprised if they decide to make one or buy into one.

tranquility · 11-15-2021, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMWILUVU

Makes sense for BMW to get its apex engines back into a supercar. I don't know what the white-shirts are thinking. i8 is not a supercar.

Ya, plus the design was dated even when it came out, never mind now, in addition to its lacklustre performance #s.

Kinda incredible that McLaren's in dire straits despite the great cars it produces. Talk about poor mgt. Not surprised that we dunno what's going on exactly w that company...I mean, did we even get a real time for their P1 at Nürburgring? LOL.

fiveohwblow · 11-16-2021, 12:37 AM

I’m scratching my head on this one. Every report I’ve seen up until now is how much Zach has helped and turned it around. How is this even being considered remotely true?

F87source · 11-16-2021, 01:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stein_325i

I'd be surprised if McLaren went bankrupt before Aston Martin who seems to be doing pretty bad.

Aston martin just got bought out by lawrence stroll and he is pumping huge amounts of money into that company, and their new cars are actually pretty nice (especially the Adrian Newey designed Valkyre which is an absolute monster of a car). So I think they'll make a comeback.

BMWILUVU · 11-16-2021, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tranquility

Ya, plus the design was dated even when it came out, never mind now, in addition to its lacklustre performance #s.

Kinda incredible that McLaren's in dire straits despite the great cars it produces. Talk about poor mgt. Not surprised that we dunno what's going on exactly w that company...I mean, did we even get a real time for their P1 at Nürburgring? LOL.

I like their cars not like I will be buying one soon. It would seem the BMW group would be more complete with the addition of either McLaren or the holy grail: Ferrari. Though I hope Ferrari never gets bought.

Chihuahua · 11-16-2021, 09:32 AM

BMW doesn't need McLaren, BMW needs to focus on being BMW. I hope the board feels the same way. It would be unfortunate to see VAG own McLaren.

Holset · 11-16-2021, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chihuahua

BMW doesn't need McLaren, BMW needs to focus on being BMW. I hope the board feels the same way. It would be unfortunate to see VAG own McLaren.

VAG has saved and and make many brands successful.

HeelToeShift · 11-16-2021, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chihuahua

BMW doesn't need McLaren, BMW needs to focus on being BMW. I hope the board feels the same way. It would be unfortunate to see VAG own McLaren.

Why would that be unfortunate? VAG took Lambo and resurrected them. Porsche is arguably the best manufacturer in the world right now and within the group could work wonders on Mclaren, who if you ask me, need a lot of help as it's not really a brand with a great rep.

Darth One · 11-16-2021, 12:05 PM

God, it seems like Mclaren dodged a bullet by not being acquired by BMW. I hope that never happens, at least not while BMW’s under its current regime. Despite a business strategy that’s caused it to bleed money, McLaren perhaps more than anybody produces compelling products that drive great, punch above their weight, and IMO look spectacular. Can you imagine what would happen if BMW got a hold of them??

Humdizzle · 11-16-2021, 12:07 PM

VAG would have such a big monopoly on the supercar world if they acquired McLaren

They already own:
-Porsche
-Lambo
-Bugatti
-Audi
-Bentley

Whose left to compete? Ferrari and Fiat Group?

Chihuahua · 11-16-2021, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Holset

VAG has saved and and make many brands successful.

Quote:

Originally Posted by HeelToeShift

Why would that be unfortunate? VAG took Lambo and resurrected them. Porsche is arguably the best manufacturer in the world right now and within the group could work wonders on Mclaren, who if you ask me, need a lot of help as it's not really a brand with a great rep.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Humdizzle

VAG would have such a big monopoly on the supercar world if they acquired McLaren

They already own:
-Porsche
-Lambo
-Bugatti
-Audi
-Bentley

Whose left to compete? Ferrari and Fiat Group?

Consolidation of the auto industry is NOT a good thing.

OkieSnuffBox · 11-16-2021, 01:15 PM

McLaren, BMW, and Audi have all denied this news.

VW already sold Bugatti to RIMAC, right?

Alfisti · 11-16-2021, 01:50 PM

i think the big question is would VAG do a Porsche with McLaren, or a Lambo? Two very different approaches.

Darth One · 11-16-2021, 01:57 PM

I think there are some key differences in approach/philosophy between a Mclaren and Lamborghini, but they’re probably not meaningful enough. Worse, the target markets for both brands are too similar.

The key property that’s attractive to VAG is the F1 team, as you said in the OP. It would be a ready gateway into F1 for VAG (which of course is a top-flight power unit manufacturer…McLaren F1 would supply everything else)

iamwingman · 11-16-2021, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darth One

God, it seems like Mclaren dodged a bullet by not being acquired by BMW. I hope that never happens, at least not while BMW’s under its current regime. Despite a business strategy that’s caused it to bleed money, McLaren perhaps more than anybody produces compelling products that drive great, punch above their weight, and IMO look spectacular. Can you imagine what would happen if BMW got a hold of them??

Not break down on the way home from the dealership..?

11-15-2021, 01:18 PM	#1
Alfisti Brigadier General 7028 Rep 3,319 Posts Drives: 2008 Saab 9-3 Combi Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Toronto, Canada iTrader: (0)	Rumour: McLaren Automotive to be sold I went to bed last night and a rumour circulated that McLaren Automotive was to be purchased by BMW and the F1 Team by Audi with a view to buying the RBR engine program and running the engine in the back of a "McLaren Audi" with RBR running as RBR Porsche. Woke up this morning and Autocar is suggesting Audi will take the lot, both entities. My concern is the sportscar market, VAG will potentially own everyone bar Ferrari.
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11-15-2021, 01:58 PM	#2
gameson Captain 217 Rep 765 Posts Drives: 2015 BMW 320i N20 Join Date: Jul 2021 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	wow, that's how bad mclaren financial is that suffers during covid? first they sold the mclaren center and then lease it back now they want to sell the entire brand or company? https://www.espn.com/f1/story/_/id/3...takeover-story they deny it though
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11-15-2021, 03:36 PM	#3
freakystyly Colonel 3688 Rep 2,033 Posts Drives: F22 B58 6MT Join Date: May 2016 Location: Ontario iTrader: (0)	Sounds like there was some back and forth but the details need to still be hammered out with Audi. https://www.motor1.com/news/547922/a...-group-report/
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11-15-2021, 05:12 PM	#4
Humdizzle Brigadier General 6534 Rep 3,852 Posts Drives: 991.2 GT3 Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Missouri iTrader: (0)	people have been saying they are going bankrupt for over a year now and it hasn't happened. their business model is pretty bad though. __________________ 2018 Porsche GT3 6MT Previous: Ferrari 458 \| R35 GTR \| F80 M3 \| F87 M2c \| E46 M3 \| E36 M3 \| Scion FRS
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11-15-2021, 06:27 PM	#6
BMWILUVU Lieutenant Colonel 838 Rep 1,597 Posts Drives: 340ix Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: The Boibs iTrader: (0)	Makes sense for BMW to get its apex engines back into a supercar. I don't know what the white-shirts are thinking. i8 is not a supercar.
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11-16-2021, 12:37 AM	#10
fiveohwblow Major 3633 Rep 1,398 Posts Drives: F15, E46 & M3, F82 Join Date: May 2016 Location: Desert SW iTrader: (2)	I’m scratching my head on this one. Every report I’ve seen up until now is how much Zach has helped and turned it around. How is this even being considered remotely true?
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11-16-2021, 09:32 AM	#13
Chihuahua Brigadier General 4562 Rep 3,383 Posts Drives: E30 329iS, E65 Alpina B7 Join Date: May 2012 Location: TBD iTrader: (0)	BMW doesn't need McLaren, BMW needs to focus on being BMW. I hope the board feels the same way. It would be unfortunate to see VAG own McLaren.
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11-16-2021, 12:05 PM	#16
Darth One drunk poster 6613 Rep 3,648 Posts Drives: M4 GTS \| E46 M3 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: FL iTrader: (0)	God, it seems like Mclaren dodged a bullet by not being acquired by BMW. I hope that never happens, at least not while BMW’s under its current regime. Despite a business strategy that’s caused it to bleed money, McLaren perhaps more than anybody produces compelling products that drive great, punch above their weight, and IMO look spectacular. Can you imagine what would happen if BMW got a hold of them??
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11-16-2021, 12:07 PM	#17
Humdizzle Brigadier General 6534 Rep 3,852 Posts Drives: 991.2 GT3 Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Missouri iTrader: (0)	VAG would have such a big monopoly on the supercar world if they acquired McLaren They already own: -Porsche -Lambo -Bugatti -Audi -Bentley Whose left to compete? Ferrari and Fiat Group? __________________ 2018 Porsche GT3 6MT Previous: Ferrari 458 \| R35 GTR \| F80 M3 \| F87 M2c \| E46 M3 \| E36 M3 \| Scion FRS
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11-16-2021, 01:15 PM	#19
OkieSnuffBox Major 1807 Rep 1,011 Posts Drives: '13 135i Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: OKC, OK iTrader: (0)	McLaren, BMW, and Audi have all denied this news. VW already sold Bugatti to RIMAC, right?
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11-16-2021, 01:50 PM	#20
Alfisti Brigadier General 7028 Rep 3,319 Posts Drives: 2008 Saab 9-3 Combi Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Toronto, Canada iTrader: (0)	i think the big question is would VAG do a Porsche with McLaren, or a Lambo? Two very different approaches.
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11-16-2021, 01:57 PM	#21
Darth One drunk poster 6613 Rep 3,648 Posts Drives: M4 GTS \| E46 M3 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: FL iTrader: (0)	I think there are some key differences in approach/philosophy between a Mclaren and Lamborghini, but they’re probably not meaningful enough. Worse, the target markets for both brands are too similar. The key property that’s attractive to VAG is the F1 team, as you said in the OP. It would be a ready gateway into F1 for VAG (which of course is a top-flight power unit manufacturer…McLaren F1 would supply everything else)
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