LexFather

I agree that M35/45 should stand.. Thing is Infiniti is NOT using M35/45 in commmericals. It simply says "M". As Rominl stated, it has caused damange to BMW "M". I rarely say Infinity M in typing, I always try to type M35/45. The funny thing is M35/45 came from the discontinued M30 but the M30 did so poorly, BMW didn't notice or consumers. The M35/45 has done much better and Infiniti's use of "M" advertising has been clever.

I read the Nissan guys describing their car as a "M" and that is wrong. Its a M35/45. A "M" is a BMW and has been for over 30 years now.

I believe Toyota got sued in the early 1990s for their oringal name for their pickup truck the T-150. Ford sued and they renamed it T-100 which is now the Tundra.

Lexus sued Lincoln when they called the LS the LS6 and LS8 (designating V-6 or V-8) and stated it would confuse buyers from LS 400 (at the time). Lincoln dropped the numbers.

I want to say Nissan sued Audi over "Q" when the Q7 debuted. Nissan will have much less of a case since the Q has nowhere near the brand awarness as M and the car is discontinued.

LexFather

Well outside of "M" they have, they have maybe the worst letters or least used letters in the alphabet.
I
G
FX
EX
M
QX
Q
J

No one else uses these letters much. Kia I believe does sell a "I30" hatchback in Aisa, the same indentical name as the discontinued Infiniti I30.

From a marketing standpoint it is even MORE confusing as:
1.non luxury brands have moved to letters and numbers.
Pontiac G5, G6, G8 etc
Hyundai XG 350
Mazda 3, 5, 6,

etc etc

2.luxury brands continue to expand their lineups
X3, X5, X4, X6, Z4, Z8, M6 are all fairly new (not X5), 1 series
GL, CLS, A class, B class
Q7, R8, A3, A2
"F"
X-type, S-type XJ, XK
Volvo-S40, S60, S80, V60 etc
Saab 9-3, 9-5


I am a total gearhead and its CONFUSING to me

ElitistK

iTrader: (4)

Come to think of it, I do have to agree that Infiniti always advertises the m35/45 line with "the M". Whenever bmw advertises the z3/4/8 roadsters, they always include the number. The bmw m series is a longer and more established name than infiniti m. I think bmw's got a case, they should appeal and make sure all infiniti m35/m45 is advertised that way, and put an end to this epidemic. It gets on my nerves whenever somebody says "look it's an M" when it's not.

RA40

iTrader: (6)

Nissan could have been a bit better in designating this model. I suppose Fuga doesn't roll off the tongue in the states like it does there. Given the common sizes of engines as a designation included with model...this is going to be challenging. Audi did a nice line with A4,6,8...

92 SC400

I dont see much problem here... I mean if someone doesnt know the difference between the BMW M cars and Infiniti's M then chances are they wont be buying either one anyway... Also, Infiniti markets the car as "The M" because it would be pretty lame to keep calling it "The M35/M35" every time in a commercial or ad. Also, you look at other makes, even BMW, most of their ads refer to a car just on it's general model name or series (i.e. BMW refers to their cars simply as "The 5 series" not "The 535i, 550i, M5, etc...). It all goes along with how Infiniti ads refer to all their cars now without the number designation following it.

Anyway, I still think it doesnt matter because to the average consumer, if they cant differentiate between the two Ms, they probably are not buying either IMO.

jimxo

When Lexus says the GS is coming they dont need to say 330 400 450 ect.

BMW will not win since there are only 26 letters in the alphabet and many cars companies who use them. Its that simple.

mmarshall

Ridiculous. Lawsuits of this type, IMO, are frivolous at best.....and downright absurd at worst.

There are only 26 letters in the English alphabet. There are at LEAST that many, if not more, auto manufacturers SHARING those letters when they name cars. You are GOING to get some overlap, period. Live with it.

DaveGS4

iTrader: (2)

Yeah, but they might just get sued by Buick.

The Buick GS (this one happens to be a 1968 GS400, marketed as the "GS" and sold in other years under similar names including the GS455 and GSX)... one of my favorite musclecars.

mmarshall

Yes, not only the point that Dave just brought up about Buicks, but look at all the different manufacturers that use CE, LX, DX, EX, GL, GS, LE, XE, GT, XT, etc...... in their different trim lines. It would be absurd for them all to try and sue each other.....just one big mess.

LexFather

Yes, GS "Grandsport" is an older name (I want to say used by a few other companies). However, "GS" used by Buick and "M" used by BMW are on opposite ends of the spectrum.

As for trim levels, it can get confusing. LS has been used as a trim level (a Lexus). EX has been used as a trim level (not an Infiniit). However, in most cases they are attached to names.
Toyota Camry LE or XLE
Nissan ALtima SE

No one refers to the car as a Toyota XLE

omd316

lmaooooooo at that ^^

cloudnine

Blah. BMW needs to devote more resources to doing something worthwhile, such as improving the quality in its flagship, the 5- and 7-series.