McLaren MSO: An Unexpected Success
From time to time, we like to showcase some unique vehicles modified by MSO (McLaren Special Operations), which customizes cars from the English manufacturer to satisfy their client's desires.
When the division was initially launched (at roughly the same time as the MP4-12C sports car) McLaren expected that around 10% of all buyers would choose to have their cars modified. Today, no less than 26% of all McLarens sold are touched by MSO.
Numbers vary wildly by model, too: only 15% of 570S buyers chose to have some unique touches on their new car, while 90% of all P1s sold last year were customized.
MSO says they don't want to be the style police. Unless the client's desires would mess with the car's features or would necessitate additional safety testing, they will do anything that is asked of them... As long as the client can pay. Paul MacKenzie, Director for the division, says that the unique cultural and regional differences are to be taken into account; while the workers on the assembly line may find a car ugly, the owner who ordered it will probably love it.