My pleasure treasure!

 

Didn't McLaren lose money on the F1 in a similar manner.

Sometimes these guys make a car just to show that they can and it enhances the overall brand.

 

The McLaren F1 was built to raise the coppropate image and attract more clients for their engineering and development capabilities. They do a huge amount of consulting work.

A very capable VW Chairman, who has led the company brilliantly, also has a big ass ego. Piech convinced VW to buy the name in 1998, officially announced the brand in 2002 after buying the original facility in France. Opened the facility in 2005 and knew they were going to loose their ass from then on.

Piech has an ego. That being said he wanted to develop the most advanced car in history, and he did. BTW He owns two himself and has a third as a VW corporate vehicle.

 

Just wanted to point out that Top Gear is not a news program, it is an entertainment program and everything they say and do should be looked upon with that in mind. BTW - I love the show.

In the end McLaren broke even on production and so far has continued making money on them and supporting their clients around the world since 1998 by looking after the cars.

Your second point is also quite valid as building the F1 gave them a MOUNTAIN of credibility that they continue to work from today. While it has since been divested, Mercedes Benz would have never made a 40% investment in the company and allowed them to build the SLR if not for the F1.

>8^)
ER