Dave Guilford of Automotive News sat down with Carlos Tavares, Nissan MoCo's global product chief, and the fruits of his investigative labors revealed that Infiniti has big plans over the next three years. A product push that involves a number of new models and expansion of the Infiniti brand into 90-percent of the luxury markets globally are the cornerstone of the marque, with sales likely to begin in South Korea and Russia, along with Europe in the latter half of next year.
Product-wise, Infiniti intends to bring approximately 10 new vehicles to market by the end of the decade, and although Tavares was mum on specifics, he did state that more crossovers, a "sports-oriented" car and a flagship are all part of the future lineup.
[Source: Automotive News – Sub. Req.]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Lyfe25 @ Sep 19th 2007 7:25PM
"Sports orienented car" Probably a rebadged version of the Nissan Skyline coming to the USA with more horsepower and features....Infiniti's answer to the new Lexus LF-A.
testa di cazzo @ Sep 19th 2007 7:27PM
infinity is the only japanese "luxury" company that i even have semi-decent respect for. They are the only ones who even try to shoot for good-looking design while also trying to give you a good, fun ride. Acura and Lexus are embarrassments to the word "CAR".
i look forward to seeing what infinity will have to offer, and hopefully their new "sports oriented car" will be able to compete wiht the big 3 germans (BMW, Audi, Merc) and Porsche...
Faheem @ Sep 19th 2007 7:40PM
You must not have driven/seen the Acura TL-S and TSX. Drive one of those and you'll re-think your "fun ride" and "good design" theories.
Also, for a brand you have so much respect for, it's spelled "Infiniti".
testa di cazzo @ Sep 19th 2007 7:53PM
i said "semi-descent resecpt" not "SO MUCH respect". and i've driven both the TSX and the TL. The TL is a bore, oversized car which goes neither fast nor handles particularly well. the Type-S is palatable, but nothing to write home about. after all is said and done, it's just a gussied-up accord.
the TSX is not bad in terms of handling. but i can't get over the fact that its just a euro-spec accord, and that they put a mark-up on it in the states. i mean they don't even change the headlamps or the grill. they just put an "A" on it and a 20%price increase! it is better than anything lexus offers in that department but, let's be honest, that's not really saying much now is it.
and for hte design, let's wait and see what changes they have to offer when the new designs come out (who knows when...acura has given no suggestions). the current designs are way too old (particulalry in the last year, the TL has begun looking horrible). I like that they are subtle and are following Audi's lead in that department, but Audis look STUNNING in their subtlety, while acura's just look subtle...
quiksr20 @ Sep 19th 2007 8:17PM
Yeah seriously im a huge Nissan / Infiniti Buff but to say Lexus has nothing.. You are a little off Id say Infiiniti is going to close the gap but there is a gap!
champ2k2 @ Sep 20th 2007 12:54AM
So what about the Lexus IS-350? or the IS-F? (if they decide to mass produce it). How about the 500hp LF-A that can make it to production?? The SC-430 is due for a redesign soon and look for the redesign to make the car look more like the rest of their line (finesse styling) and have a more potent engine (A 4.6L v8 borrowed from the LS).
IMHO, it's Lexus at the top of the luxo-jap brands, then a close second is Infiniti, followed by Acura. My reasoing for this is because the Acura lineup is predominantly FWD (RL has AWD) and up here in Canada, they try to pass off a JDM civic as an Acura CSX. If anything acura is the worst of the 3 for rebadging their cars. If a company is going to rebadge and mark up a price of a car....do it to a good car....like the Aristo -> GS, Soarer -> SC430....Not a euro spec accord -> TSX, or JDM Civic -> CSX.
Rob @ Sep 19th 2007 7:32PM
I'm a huge Infiniti fan, so this is good to hear. The service deparment is enough to make me buy one over a Nissan.
Chris @ Sep 19th 2007 8:05PM
Just throw your keyboard out the window, you'll be doing everyone a favor.
Chris @ Sep 19th 2007 8:05PM
Sorry, that was meant for testa di cazzo but the reply function didn't work correctly...
Little Lord Poopy-Pants @ Sep 19th 2007 8:33PM
If this wasn't a Nissan division I'd say 10 new cars by 2010 might be a few too many. And since it IS a Nissan division I'd say it might be one CARLOS too many...
Barney @ Sep 20th 2007 1:09AM
I think there are getting to be to much selection by every car maker. Keeping track of the newest is just making the selection too difficult. It has to cost big dollars to keep coming up with new models and designs every year.
Tony C @ Sep 20th 2007 2:02PM
For any auto manufacturer, 10 new models in three years is a stretch, unless you're talking about the GM or Toyota corporate umbrellas. But for a luxury marque, that's insane! Are they counting vehicles that have already been announced? If not, they're out of their minds. There is such a thing as brand dilution and if there's any brand that's least in need of it, it's a luxury. How many single badges even have 10 or more models in their stable anyway?
Nick @ Sep 19th 2007 9:06PM
Given I'm still driving a 1993 G20, I'll be looking at Infinit when it's time to buy a new car.
Ligor @ Sep 19th 2007 10:28PM
can't wait to see
my '03 G35 will be up for replacement soon
and i'm hoping the VQ25HR makes it in a smaller than G35 car weighing about 350-400lbs less than the G35
the Nissan GT-R will have an Infiniti version, in a year the G35 will get the 3.7L as well, like the coupe
Devin @ Sep 19th 2007 10:46PM
I'm sort of hoping for a 4 door coupe to come from Infiniti. After seeing all their recent designs, think what infiniti could do with a 4 door coupe. A new FX is sure to come, along with a redesigned M, but other than that, I can't really think of vehicles that infiniti needs. I guess needs is the wrong word...
catgirlshyla @ Sep 20th 2007 4:57AM
So will they bring over the Nissan President?
John Levy @ Sep 20th 2007 8:59AM
They already bring over the Nissan President. It's called the Q45 here. Easy to forget because they sell so few of them and don't spend a nickel on advertising them at all.
catgirlshyla @ Sep 21st 2007 6:20AM
Wrongo!!
The G50 (aka First Gen Q45) was based on the Nissan President.
FY33 (Second Gen) and F50 (Third Gen) are based on the Nissan Cima. In 2006, the M-series replaced it as the flagship car.
Thought, it would be cool if the Infiniti Kuraza Concept had a go into production.
MLB @ Sep 20th 2007 9:28AM
I may be incorrect, but I believe Infiniti hasn't sold the Q45 since 2005. It's not even on their website.
What they need is a killer sedan flagship, along with a coupe and convertible. The rest of the line-up is excellent.
Alexander @ Sep 20th 2007 11:55AM
As a very satisfied owner of 07 G35X i'm very much looking forward to what will come next from Infiniti. A good looking flagship sedan would be nice.