McLaren: We won't build SUVs!
At the unveiling of the company's new 570S supercar in New York on Monday, executive director for global marketing and sales Jolyon Nash announced that car maker has "ruled out" building an off roader.
According to the executive, McLaren will stick to what it's good at- exotic carbon-fiber sports cars and supercars.
The SUV is one of fastest-growing segments in the business. And if you're selling a luxury version, you can rest assured that you have a cash cow.
Other brands with sports car and supercar heritage have not only embraced the SUV, they've come to count on it to bring in business.
Porsche's Macan and Cayenne SUVs account for nearly 60% of the company sales. Bentley has announced it will go ahead with its Bentayga SUV, and Jaguar's new F-Pace is already on its way to showrooms.
Aston Martin and Lamborghini have both released concept cars hinting at their imminent entry into the SUV-dom. Rolls-Royce announced its plans for an SUV - known internally as the "Cullinan" - earlier this year.
What's next? A Ferrari for backwoods adventures?
With the launch of the 570S - the first car from its "Sports Series" - McLaren believes it can double the 1,600 cars it sold in 2014.
As a sister company to the vaunted McLaren Formula One team, the automaker builds cars that have a racing tradition and pedigree only Porsche and the guys from Maranello can match. Building an SUV would be a huge departure from the company's racing ethos.