Mercedes-Benz ’s parent company, Daimler, is planning to buyout McLaren , a new report finds. While Daimler has yet to confirm the report, several sources are indicating that a deal has already been made between the two.
The two companies have close ties, both with road cars and race cars. McLaren currently makes the SLR for Mercedes-Benz and M-B supplies McLaren’s racing program with powerplants. In addition, Daimler owns 40% of McLaren.
Reports of a possible buyout surfaced in August of 2006, and were rekindled again in December of that year.
It was reported last year that the two companies will no longer be developing road cars together. Instead, Mercedes-Benz will use H.W.A. to develop its follow up to the SLR and McLaren is working on its own car — codenamed P11. It remains to be seen how a merger would affect this arrangement.
If the deal for the other 60% of McLaren has already been inked, look for an announcement in the coming months.
