Infiniti stuggles in Europe, names new Marketing Expert
02-24-11 | 06:31 AM
#1
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Infiniti stuggles in Europe, names new Marketing Expert
http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dl...110219880/1399
Nissan marketing expert to run Infiniti's European sales
James R. Crate
Automotive News Europe -- February 18, 2011 06:01 CET
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Guillaume Pelletreau joined Nissan in 2005 and became chief marketing manager for passenger cars in 2010.
Nissan has brought in Guillaume Pelletreau to run European sales for its Infiniti luxury division.
Pelletreau will head Infiniti's sales activities at a critical time in the brand's European development.
As well as working on expanding the network of 41 dealers across Europe, he will need to oversee sales development for a widening range of cars.
Infiniti has added the new M sedan to its European lineup alongside the existing G-range of sedan, coupe and convertible models, the crossover EX and flagship FX SUV models, and the M35 and M37. This spring, an M35h hybrid will join the range.
"It is the most exciting time possible to be spearheading Infiniti sales in Europe," Pelletreau said in a statement. "Times are still tough and there is a great deal more to be achieved, but now the Infiniti range in Europe is stronger than ever."
Pelletreau succeeds Philippe Saillard, who has been transferred to Nissan's sales organization for central and eastern Europe in Budapest.
The 40-year-old Pelletreau, a graduate of France's EMLYON Business School, worked for eight years as a consultant at Roland Berger in Paris before joining Nissan in 2005 as sales and marketing strategy manager.
The following year, he was appointed marketing director of Nissan West Europe and held the post until 2010, when he became chief marketing manager for passenger cars at Nissan Europe.
Infiniti has been struggling to gain a foothold in Europe. It sold 2,519 vehicles in Europe last year, up 91 percent from 1,319 in 2009, according to UK-based market researcher JATO Dynamics.
Meanwhile, Infiniti sold 4,674 cars and SUVs in Russia last year, up 1 percent from 4,630, according to the Association of European Businesses in Russia.
Infiniti's five-year goal for western European sales (not including Russia) is 25,000 units.
Executive Edition
James R. Crate
Automotive News Europe -- February 18, 2011 06:01 CET
>> Send us a Letter to the Editor
Guillaume Pelletreau joined Nissan in 2005 and became chief marketing manager for passenger cars in 2010.
Nissan has brought in Guillaume Pelletreau to run European sales for its Infiniti luxury division.
Pelletreau will head Infiniti's sales activities at a critical time in the brand's European development.
As well as working on expanding the network of 41 dealers across Europe, he will need to oversee sales development for a widening range of cars.
Infiniti has added the new M sedan to its European lineup alongside the existing G-range of sedan, coupe and convertible models, the crossover EX and flagship FX SUV models, and the M35 and M37. This spring, an M35h hybrid will join the range.
"It is the most exciting time possible to be spearheading Infiniti sales in Europe," Pelletreau said in a statement. "Times are still tough and there is a great deal more to be achieved, but now the Infiniti range in Europe is stronger than ever."
Pelletreau succeeds Philippe Saillard, who has been transferred to Nissan's sales organization for central and eastern Europe in Budapest.
The 40-year-old Pelletreau, a graduate of France's EMLYON Business School, worked for eight years as a consultant at Roland Berger in Paris before joining Nissan in 2005 as sales and marketing strategy manager.
The following year, he was appointed marketing director of Nissan West Europe and held the post until 2010, when he became chief marketing manager for passenger cars at Nissan Europe.
Infiniti has been struggling to gain a foothold in Europe. It sold 2,519 vehicles in Europe last year, up 91 percent from 1,319 in 2009, according to UK-based market researcher JATO Dynamics.
Meanwhile, Infiniti sold 4,674 cars and SUVs in Russia last year, up 1 percent from 4,630, according to the Association of European Businesses in Russia.
Infiniti's five-year goal for western European sales (not including Russia) is 25,000 units.
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02-24-11 | 04:28 PM
#6
i dont think we see infiniti as bad brand, but they have 41 dealer in complete europe... that means most countries have single dealer and they have just started.
plus pricing wise, cheapest G is considerably more expensive than 3 series (depending on country, between 30% and 50%).
EX is even worse, it is close to price of FX (very close)... I think their best seller is FX.
plus pricing wise, cheapest G is considerably more expensive than 3 series (depending on country, between 30% and 50%).
EX is even worse, it is close to price of FX (very close)... I think their best seller is FX.
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02-24-11 | 08:51 PM
#8
Lexus Champion
I remembered some people were commenting when they said Infiniti was mentally-sick when they launched in Europe without a diesel engine. Heck, part of the launch lineup was an FX50 
But they did make some priorities for the Euro market (like the 7-speed auto for the G35 was launched there as well as the G37 coupe)
Right now, it looks like they're doing okay (or at least I think they are).
Hmm......if so, then that's good. The diesel engine as well as the relationship with one of the top three car makers in France is starting to work for Infiniti.
Still, the challenges they face are still present. I think Lexus also faces that problem as well in that in general, Europeans will root for the home team by purchasing European brands. Any outsiders are treated as secondary.
Still I wish Infiniti the best because personally I would choose a euro-spec Infiniti G37 over a BMW 320d auto anyday
P.S.
Oh and I have faith that the M30d will sell in Euroland
But they did make some priorities for the Euro market (like the 7-speed auto for the G35 was launched there as well as the G37 coupe)
Right now, it looks like they're doing okay (or at least I think they are).
I saw a ton of FX's in France. I think they are some sort of a fleet vehicle.
Still, the challenges they face are still present. I think Lexus also faces that problem as well in that in general, Europeans will root for the home team by purchasing European brands. Any outsiders are treated as secondary.
Still I wish Infiniti the best because personally I would choose a euro-spec Infiniti G37 over a BMW 320d auto anyday
P.S.
Oh and I have faith that the M30d will sell in Euroland
02-25-11 | 10:24 AM
#9
Same error as Lexus; no small engines and no stripped models. That's how you get your sales if numbers are your priority.
But I think they should have launched in Japan first and then went to Europe. I know they all wanna go to there because that's where the money is spent on luxury vehicles besides US and China but I think people are more traditional in premium car purchases over there because of great dominance of domestic luxury and that's a very hard thing to crack.
But I think they should have launched in Japan first and then went to Europe. I know they all wanna go to there because that's where the money is spent on luxury vehicles besides US and China but I think people are more traditional in premium car purchases over there because of great dominance of domestic luxury and that's a very hard thing to crack.
02-25-11 | 11:13 AM
#10
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02-25-11 | 01:49 PM
#12
never been in Europe & but from all the movie and take place there. 90% of the car are crappy little junk....mini cooper size, old, & ugly.
Notice the gas price in Europe are higher, main reason infiniti is not selling good is their bad MPG...........I lover my G35x except the MPG part. I would definitely buy another Infiniti, was planning to sell my G35x for an FX.
Notice the gas price in Europe are higher, main reason infiniti is not selling good is their bad MPG...........I lover my G35x except the MPG part. I would definitely buy another Infiniti, was planning to sell my G35x for an FX.
02-25-11 | 02:22 PM
#13
Infiniti are always going to struggle in Europe when there are better places to put your money. Models from BMW, Mercedes and Audi are going to hold their values better, and with much lower CO2 outputs, going to cost much less to run and cost less in tax.
02-25-11 | 02:37 PM
#14
Which pretty much makes your comment worthless.
Infiniti are always going to struggle in Europe when there are better places to put your money. Models from BMW, Mercedes and Audi are going to hold their values better, and with much lower CO2 outputs, going to cost much less to run and cost less in tax.
Infiniti are always going to struggle in Europe when there are better places to put your money. Models from BMW, Mercedes and Audi are going to hold their values better, and with much lower CO2 outputs, going to cost much less to run and cost less in tax.
