Infra

iTrader: (1)

I did forget about the Acura. I don't think the Enclave could be considered a head on competitor, though, more like the value option.

superchan7

Not going to happen with its current models.

TeeNastie

My sentiments exactly.

They're going to price themselves out of existence.

Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

Infiniti has its work cut out for it. Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn wants the luxury brand to hit a sales target of 100,000 units in Europe by 2016. Last year, the company moved just 12,500 vehicles in the market. According to Automotive News Europe, the goal is part of a larger strategy to swell the brand's global sales to 500,000 units by the same deadline, up from 146,000 in 2011. The report suggests Infiniti expects the planned new premium compact to push most of that increase. The car will likely borrow heavily from the Etherea Concept, and will ostensibly be designed as a suitable competitor to machines like the Audi A3, BMW 1 Series and Mercedes-Benz A-Class.

Unfortunately, reports suggest it isn't due to hit dealer lots until 2014 at the earliest. The new model will ride on the same chassis as the Mercedes-Benz A-Class and will be built by Magna Steyr. The manufacturer says it can produce between 50,000 and 60,000 of the new models per year.

But with former Audi executive Johan de Nysschen now at the helm of Infiniti's global operations and a slew of new diesel-powered sedans and SUVs in the mix, Infiniti certainly has a shot at increasing its sales. Whether or not it can meet its lofty goals remains to be seen.

http://www.autoblog.com/2012/06/13/i...sales-by-2016/

UDel

Infinit already tried pricing the new M close to or even above its competition and look what has happened. It barely sells. That also has a lot to do with the styling that is so close to a G37 and mediocre reviews but pricing is playing a part too. Infiniti does not have the brand cache to price its cars right up there with the Germans, this sounds like a ego/power move from some ambitious executives that is destined to fail miserably if they actually go through with it.

If most luxury buyers don't have much of a issue paying such a high premium for overpriced very unreliable German brands/cars over far less expensive more reliable Infiniti's what makes them think people will pay the same premium for Infiniti. Infiniti would have to come out with cars that just completely blow the competition away in every means. Lexus is not there where people would pay for a as expensive, as unreliable car, as the German competition, so there is no way Infiniti or any Japanese brand is there nor should they really focus on getting there.

Infiniti needs to focus more on selling more volume, improving some aging models, and with gov regulations looming offering more fuel efficient cars and making their current lineup much more fuel efficient.