How would you feel if one of
the most anxiously awaited automotive arrivals in recent history were just swiped from your showroom floor? Infiniti
dealers are reacting to Carlos Ghosn’s announcement last week
that the GT-R, the latest iteration of the company’s Skyline sports car designed for total global consumption,
would be sold in the U.S. with a Nissan hood ornament. Ghosn cited the fact that brand’s North American operations
couldn’t prove the Infiniti emblem on the GT-R’s hood would generate more sales or profits.
Infiniti sales were down a sharp 9 percent in the first quarter of the year and dealers were hoping the GT-R would
fill out the brand’s narrow lineup (four cars, two SUVs), as well as be a halo vehicle around which the company
could rally. All is not lost, however, as the redesigned G35 sedan that
debuted at the NY auto show last week was received very well by the press.
[Source: Automotive News via
AutoWeek]