Infiniti aims to "de-Americanize" lineup, add flagship
09-19-13 | 03:19 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 22,608
Likes: 102
From: Waiting for next track day
Infiniti aims to "de-Americanize" lineup, add flagship
http://www.autoblog.com/2013/09/19/i...-add-flagship/
Nissan launched Infiniti back in 1989 as a US brand, but more recently, Nissan's luxury marque has started focusing on more of a global presence. With a new global headquarters set up in Hong Kong and former Audi bigwig Johan de Nysschen at the helm, Wards Auto is reporting that the automaker's next goal is to create a "de-Americanized" lineup of vehicles.
This plan essentially consists of smaller cars and smaller-displacement engines to make Infiniti more attractive for buyers in Europe and Asia – two regions that tend to skew more toward smaller vehicles and smaller powerplants. To this point, Infiniti has been focused on vehicles better-suited to the US market – in fact, its smallest engine is a 3.7-liter V6 with 330 horsepower, and it doesn't offer a single diesel.
The first step in this transformation will be part of the Daimler-Nissan engine deal that will see a four-cylinder diesel eventually used in the 2014 Q50, but the report also reconfirms the importance of the soon-to-arrive Q30 production model (a concept of which was revealed last week in Frankfurt), along with the idea of a QX30 based on the Nissan Qashqai. There's also the latest projection of a full-electric Infiniti model that Wards says will debut sometime around 2015. Of course, Infiniti isn't giving up on large cars entirely – the reports indicates that Infiniti is planning a fullsize flagship model – possibly named Q80 – to compete against German sedans like the Audi A8, BMW 7 Series and Mercedes-Benz S-Class.
This global strategy was likely a key factor in the brand's decision to rename its entire current lineup including the well-established G. Like all luxury automakers, Infiniti is eyeing growth in China, and it has plans to expand its dealer network in the country from 60 to 80, with the goal of having up to as many as 200 outlets by the end of the decade.
Nissan launched Infiniti back in 1989 as a US brand, but more recently, Nissan's luxury marque has started focusing on more of a global presence. With a new global headquarters set up in Hong Kong and former Audi bigwig Johan de Nysschen at the helm, Wards Auto is reporting that the automaker's next goal is to create a "de-Americanized" lineup of vehicles.
This plan essentially consists of smaller cars and smaller-displacement engines to make Infiniti more attractive for buyers in Europe and Asia – two regions that tend to skew more toward smaller vehicles and smaller powerplants. To this point, Infiniti has been focused on vehicles better-suited to the US market – in fact, its smallest engine is a 3.7-liter V6 with 330 horsepower, and it doesn't offer a single diesel.
The first step in this transformation will be part of the Daimler-Nissan engine deal that will see a four-cylinder diesel eventually used in the 2014 Q50, but the report also reconfirms the importance of the soon-to-arrive Q30 production model (a concept of which was revealed last week in Frankfurt), along with the idea of a QX30 based on the Nissan Qashqai. There's also the latest projection of a full-electric Infiniti model that Wards says will debut sometime around 2015. Of course, Infiniti isn't giving up on large cars entirely – the reports indicates that Infiniti is planning a fullsize flagship model – possibly named Q80 – to compete against German sedans like the Audi A8, BMW 7 Series and Mercedes-Benz S-Class.
This global strategy was likely a key factor in the brand's decision to rename its entire current lineup including the well-established G. Like all luxury automakers, Infiniti is eyeing growth in China, and it has plans to expand its dealer network in the country from 60 to 80, with the goal of having up to as many as 200 outlets by the end of the decade.
Last edited by I8ABMR; 09-19-13 at 03:39 PM.
09-19-13 | 04:01 PM
#2
Racer
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,936
Likes: 0
From: CA
Nissan launched Infiniti back in 1989 as a US brand, but more recently, Nissan's luxury marque has started focusing on more of a global presence. With a new global headquarters set up in Hong Kong and former Audi bigwig Johan de Nysschen at the helm, Wards Auto is reporting that the automaker's next goal is to create a "de-Americanized" lineup of vehicles.
This plan essentially consists of smaller cars and smaller-displacement engines to make Infiniti more attractive for buyers in Europe and Asia – two regions that tend to skew more toward smaller vehicles and smaller powerplants. To this point, Infiniti has been focused on vehicles better-suited to the US market – in fact, its smallest engine is a 3.7-liter V6 with 330 horsepower, and it doesn't offer a single diesel.
The first step in this transformation will be part of the Daimler-Nissan engine deal that will see a four-cylinder diesel eventually used in the 2014 Q50, but the report also reconfirms the importance of the soon-to-arrive Q30 production model (a concept of which was revealed last week in Frankfurt), along with the idea of a QX30 based on the Nissan Qashqai. There's also the latest projection of a full-electric Infiniti model that Wards says will debut sometime around 2015. Of course, Infiniti isn't giving up on large cars entirely – the reports indicates that Infiniti is planning a fullsize flagship model – possibly named Q80 – to compete against German sedans like the Audi A8, BMW 7 Series and Mercedes-Benz S-Class.
This plan essentially consists of smaller cars and smaller-displacement engines to make Infiniti more attractive for buyers in Europe and Asia – two regions that tend to skew more toward smaller vehicles and smaller powerplants. To this point, Infiniti has been focused on vehicles better-suited to the US market – in fact, its smallest engine is a 3.7-liter V6 with 330 horsepower, and it doesn't offer a single diesel.
The first step in this transformation will be part of the Daimler-Nissan engine deal that will see a four-cylinder diesel eventually used in the 2014 Q50, but the report also reconfirms the importance of the soon-to-arrive Q30 production model (a concept of which was revealed last week in Frankfurt), along with the idea of a QX30 based on the Nissan Qashqai. There's also the latest projection of a full-electric Infiniti model that Wards says will debut sometime around 2015. Of course, Infiniti isn't giving up on large cars entirely – the reports indicates that Infiniti is planning a fullsize flagship model – possibly named Q80 – to compete against German sedans like the Audi A8, BMW 7 Series and Mercedes-Benz S-Class.
It's like this guy setting his target to compete with michael phelps.
09-19-13 | 10:13 PM
#4
Racer
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,419
Likes: 49
From: AZ
The Chinese market is going to become very large for international sales. It will soon be larger than the American market. Currently, the Chinese model is larger (particularly in rear seat space) than either the US or European market with a focus on luxury and comfort. Europe is in a long decline and will become less of a market driver in the future. The small, mostly diesel powered European cars will no longer be as important in global sales. The challenge for US manufacturers is to find a Chinese partner and a car line to satisfy this mass market. Currently Buick is the star in this arena. It would not surprise me if the Koreans become major players in this new world of automobile marketing.
Steve
Steve
09-20-13 | 06:55 AM
#5
No Substitute
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 2,715
Likes: 11
From: RI
It's good to see Infiniti thinking outside the box and fighting to survive but I think they are still in the "all over the place phase" of their plan.
This week is "deAmericanizing" last week was "we may bring a full size pickup truck to the Infiniti brand"
http://www.autoblog.com/2013/09/18/m...ce=twitterfeed
This week is "deAmericanizing" last week was "we may bring a full size pickup truck to the Infiniti brand"
http://www.autoblog.com/2013/09/18/m...ce=twitterfeed
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post