Infiniti is a Japanese brand used by Nissan, an automobile manufacturer and serves as Nissan's luxury brand to the United States, Canadian, Mexican, Middle Eastern, South Korean (first dealership opened in July 2005) and Taiwanese markets. Nissan also has plans to release Infiniti into many European markets (Russia & Ukraine in 2007, United Kingdom in 2008 [1]), China (10 dealerships by 2007), as well as in Japan sometime after 2008.
| File:Infiniti logo 1574 normal.jpg | |
| Company type | Subsidiary of Nissan |
|---|---|
| Industry | Automotive |
| Founded | 1989 |
| Headquarters |  Japan |
| Products | Automobile |
| Parent | Nissan |
| Website | Infiniti of America Infiniti Middle East Infiniti Korea Infiniti China Infiniti Taiwan |
Early Infiniti vehicles had their own, unique platform, but most are now based on the same automobile platforms as Nissan models. In some cases, similar vehicles are sold as upscale Nissans in the same market, while other Infinitis are rebadged models from the Japanese market, where Nissan's model range includes high-end luxury vehicles. More recently, the differentiation between Nissan and Infiniti vehicles has become greater, and even where two models may share a similar platform, Infinitis tend to feature more powerful engines, tuned suspensions, steering systems, and more luxurious interior appointments such as heated and cooled seats, Bose audio systems, and voice recognition control to operate vehicle systems.
Infiniti's model name designation includes one letter for coupés and sedans (two letters for SUVs) and a number reflecting engine displacement. For example, the QX56 is an SUV featuring a 5.6 L engine and the Q45 is Infiniti's flagship sedan, although production for this model is planned to cease in 2007, featuring a 4.5 L engine. The one exception to this was the QX4 SUV, which featured a 3.3 L engine (1997-2000) and later a 3.5 L engine (2001-2003). An 'x' following the engine displacement of Infiniti sedans denotes an all wheel drive model (e.g. Infiniti G35x).
History
Infiniti was introduced in the United States by Nissan in 1989, to rival Toyota and Honda's introduction of their own luxury brands, Lexus and Acura, respectively. A series of Zen-inspired advertisements, which became known as the "rocks and trees" campaign, aimed to bring about brand awareness. Because the cars were delayed in production, the advertisements ran longer than expected, and no cars were featured. Better advertising and the introduction of award-winning models eventually made Infiniti a chief contender in the luxury vehicle segment of the American market. Since 1989, sales have consistently grown.
Infiniti began to take part of the luxury market mostly thanks to its popular Q45. The vehicle included a class leading (at the time) 278 hp (207 kW) V8 engine, four wheel steering, the first avaactive suspension system offered on a motor vehicle, and numerous interior luxury appointments. These made it competitive against the German imports like Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz, which by the time of Infiniti's release had overtaken Cadillac and Lincoln in dominating the luxury segment of the American market.
In 1997, Infiniti released the QX4, a modified and more luxurious version of the Nissan Pathfinder, making Infiniti the first maker (apart from SUV specialists, Jeep and Land Rover) to offer a mid-sized luxury SUV - predating the release of the Lexus RX 300 and the Mercedes-Benz ML320. Like a traditional SUV, it was based on a truck platform, which gave it a competitive edge against the aforementioned competitors for its off-roading abilities.
By the late 1990s, however, Infiniti was consistently behind Lexus and even near luxury rival Acura, in sales due to Nissan's struggling financial situation. The Q45 had retreated considerably from its focused, taut rendition of an executive sedan, having become a barely recognizable, ponderously-handling sedan that earned the nickname "The Japanese Lincoln." In 1999, Infiniti reintroduced the G20, a compact sporty sedan that was sold between 1991 and 1996. The G20 was marketed as a competitor to European luxury sport coupes such as the BMW 3-series, but with an underpowered four cylinder engine, fell short. Also at dealers the G20 was marketed primarily to the wrong demographic middle-aged professional women, and as such was not as popular new as its actual main competition, the similarly-priced Acura Integra. Plus with dealership marketing to Infiniti's other offerings, the Maxima-based I30 and the strange-looking J30 never garnered strong followings, and the company, bereft of an image or a following, floundered.
By the early 2000s, Infiniti was facing extinction. Its own impending doom being perhaps the best motivator, the company rededicated itself to developing a dynamic and powerful line-up of sporty luxury cars. Car and Driver reported that Infiniti executives invited members of the motoring press to a meeting where they "swore never again to take their eyes off BMW." Although this effort began with a completely redesigned Q45 flagship for the 2002 model year, it was the G35 that finally turned sales around for Infiniti in 2003. A compact sports sedan far exceeding the capabilities of its Nissan Primera-based predecessor (the G20), the Nissan Skyline-based G35 became an instant hit, named Motor Trend Car of the Year in 2003. The release of the sport tuned FX45 sport utility vehicle piggybacked on the G35's success. The FX45 combined sports-car handling and performance with station wagon-like versatility and all-weather capability. In 2004, Infiniti add an all-wheel drive version of the G35 sports sedan in an effort to sway buyers from similar all-wheel drive sports sedans from competitors Audi and BMW.
In recent times, Infiniti's sales and reputation continue to increase impressively as Carlos Ghosn follows through on his vision to break Infiniti away from its Nissan roots. The G35 series helped re-define Infiniti as the "Japanese BMW", an image it continues to cultivate. This reputation has been enhanced by the FX35/FX45 SUV, and the redesigned M35/M45 for the 2006 model year. The M35/M45 has already garnered impressive acclaim from the automotive press, winning an eight-car comparison test in Car and Driver and also named the best luxury sedan in Consumer Reports, and has proven very popular in its first few months of sales. For the 2007 model year a redesigned version of the G35 sedan was introduced, this will be followed in 2008 by a new version of the companies G coupe which will be called the G37. The coupe was first inveiled at the New York International Auto Show.
Models
Current models
- Infiniti FX (FX35 and FX45 variations)
- Infiniti G35 (sedan, and AWD sedan)
- Infiniti M (M35/M35x and M45 variations)
- Infiniti QX56
Past models
- Infiniti M30
- Infiniti G20
- Infiniti J30
- Infiniti I (I30, 1996-2001; I35, 2002-2004)
- Infiniti QX4
- Infiniti Q45
Future Vehicles
After a new version of the G35 sedan was introduced as a 2007 model and in 2008 a new coupe version using the name G37 will debut. A new version of the companies flagship model is also expected to be introduced in early 2008.
Concept Vehicles
- Infiniti Kuraza (concept vehicle, no current plans for production)
- Infiniti Coupe Concept - presented in 2006 Image 1, Image 2, Image 3
- CX35 (Much rumored for production small SUV positioned below the FX35/45)
External links
