Infiniti
| File:Infinitilogo.gif | |
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Automotive |
| Founded | 1989 |
| Headquarters |  Tokyo, Japan |
| Products | Automobile |
| Parent | Nissan |
| Website | Infiniti of America Infiniti Europe Infiniti Middle East Infiniti Korea Infiniti China Infiniti Taiwan |
Infiniti is a brand of cars and sport utility vehicles owned and used by Nissan, an automobile manufacturer in Japan and America and serves as Nissan's luxury brand for the American, Canadian, Mexican, Middle Eastern, South Korean 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.
Most currently-built Infiniti vehicles are based on an FM (front-midship) platform. The center of the engine is placed behind the front wheels. This placement makes weight distribution more even, which is intended to improve braking, acceleration, and handling. It also reduces the polar moment of inertia. Only one Infiniti model is similar to a Nissan: The QX56 which is essentially a Nissan Armada. The reasoning to why there is only one shared model (as most other companies do more {Lexus & Toyota with 4) is because Infiniti uses the rear-drive FM platform, while Nissan uses front drive cars (excluding the 350Z which uses FM).
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. An 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 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 before the cars were ready to be revealed. Because the cars were delayed in production, the advertisements ran longer than expected, hindering the launch. Better advertising and the introduction of award-winning models eventually made Infiniti a contender in the luxury vehicle segment of the American market. Since 1989, sales have consistently grown. The company's logo is inspired by Mt Fuji, a volcano from its home country of Japan.
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 active 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, Acura RDX 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 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 jellybean-shaped J30 never garnered large followings, and the company, bereft of an image or a following, floundered.
By 2000, Infiniti was facing extinction. 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 turned sales around for Infiniti in 2003. A 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 FX35/45 crossover piggybacked on the G35's success. The FX used the same components under the skin as the G35 sport coupe but was restyled for American tastes. It combined sports-car handling and performance with station wagon-like versatility and all-weather capability. After a few years, a number of manufacturers began making similarly-styled vehicles, so Infiniti reclassified the FX as a sport utilty vehicle (SUV). In 2004, Infiniti added 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 company's G coupe which will be called the G37. The coupe was first unveiled at the New York International Auto Show. Next up is the EX35, a compact crossover, which looks like a mini FX. While the FX is the size of the M, the EX will be the size of the G, and share its 3.5 liter, 306 hp, engine. Competitors will be the BMX X3, Land Rover LR2, and Acura RDX.
In 2006, it was announced that the Infiniti range would be imported to the UK. Sales are set to begin during the later part of 2008.
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
- EX35 (Compact Crossover positioned under the FX to compete with the BMW X3, Land Rover LR2, and Acura RDX; Fall 2007 launch)
External links
