Although it has been widely assumed that Mercedes will end its working relationship with McLaren after the last batch of 75 SLRs roll off the assembly line, the two companies have never officially commented on the future of their partnership. But that assumption has turned into reality as Mercedes-Benz has announced that it will part ways with McLaren after the SLR ends its production run in 2009.
“The partnership ends in 2009 and it will not be renewed,” a Mercedes spokesman told Automotive News.
The SLR has never been the resounding success the German automaker had hoped for and Mercedes has only sold 1,577 examples of the SLR worldwide since its launch in 2003 – 433 of which were recalled for overheating.
Mercedes also confirmed it is currently developing a new supercar dubbed the SLC which will replace the SLR in 2010. As expected, the SLC is being developed in house and will be built by Mercedes-Benz ’ AMG division.
