McLaren MP4-12C Production Begins

Over the past few years we have been witnessing the birth of a new volume manufacturer in the super car industry - McLaren. When we met with McLaren executives at an event in San Jose last year, it was clear there was a real excitement about the company and a view that was taking place was something big.

The company has undertaken an extensive and meticulous five-year development process of the MP4-12C. That process has finally culminated with the MP4-12C's official start of production, which took place yesterday.

Chassis 01 has yet to be completed but it is winding it's way through the production process at McLaren's Technical Center (MTC) in Woking, England.

The site where most MP4-12Cs will be built is a site adjacent to the MTC, and it is called McLaren Production Center. It is under construction and due for completion in May, being a more mass-production facility than the MTC.

McLaren plans to produce 1,000 MP4-12Cs over the course of this year. You can check out some photographs of Chassis 01 as well as a new video McLaren has released to document the car's journey.

It features F1 drivers Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button, 2008 and 2009 FIA Formula 1 Drivers' World Champions. The two have been testing preproduction MP4-12Cs and have been providing input on development.