March 12th, 2009 — China Automotive Movement News
By George Gao From:Gasgoo.com
Nissan Motor expects to sell 4,000 units of its luxury brand Infiniti in China in 2009, with no plan yet for sales growth from last year, Information Times said today.
The 13 Infiniti dealerships in China only sold 4,000 Infiniti cars in 2008, much lower than the sales of the brand’s rival Lexus. Nissan aims to sell the same number of Infiniti cars in China this year, and hopes for better sales if possible. The Japanese carmaker has set no plan for the Infiniti sales growth in China for 2009 as market is not clear enough now.
Cool market and low sales will not stop the expansion of Infiniti in China. Nissan announced at the end of last year that Infiniti would beef up its investment in the Chinese market and create ten new 4S stores nationwide in 2009, sharply raising the total number to 23 across the country.
Infiniti is a new comer to China, one of the most profitable overseas markets of Nissan Motor. The first dealerships of the luxury Infiniti brand started business in July 2007, and by the end of 2008, Infiniti had 13 dealerships across China.
Infiniti sales in China reached 1,550 cars in the second half 2007 and the figure hit 4,000 units in 2008. However, its rivals like Lexus, Audi, Benz, and BMW have far more sales. For instance, Lexus sales exceeded 30,000 units in China last year, up from 20,000 units in 2007.
The low Infiniti sales in China may be also attributed to some other factors than the financial crisis. The Infiniti brand name is little known to many Chinese customers and its dynamic, personalized design has not catered to high-end car buyers in China who like splendid, comfortable, luxury models.
February 18th, 2009 — Auto show / Motor Show, infiniti
“THE ESSENCE OF INFINITI TO BE REVEALED IN GENEVA”
ROLLE, Switzerland (February 17 2009) – Infiniti will show visitors to the 2009 International Geneva Motor Show the essence of its brand in one dramatic concept car. A celebration of Infiniti and its 20 years history as a creator of performance cars, the powerful concept will also be an inspiring exploration into the brand’s future.
Produced in collaboration with Louis Vuitton, the Infiniti Essence will be revealed on March 3, 2009.
February 6th, 2009 — Auto show / Motor Show, infiniti
INFINITI PACKS LOUIS VUITTON FOR GENEVA
Infiniti, the luxury car company from Japan, has announced its collaboration with Louis Vuitton, the French luxury brand, for the creation of a bespoke set of luggage for a concept car to be revealed at the 2009 International Geneva Motor Show next month.
The dramatic concept will be a celebration of Infiniti and its 20 years history as a creator of performance cars. But equally it will be an inspiring exploration into the brand’s future.
For Louis Vuitton, this collaboration is the latest in a long heritage of designing custom luggage for special automobiles.
* The INFINITI press conference at the 2009 International Geneva Motor Show will take place at 10:15, March 3 2009, in Hall 1 where as well as revealing its new concept car, Infiniti will also display the G37 Convertible for the first time in Europe.
* INFINITI comes from Japan. Its line-up of performance sedans, coupes and crossovers is now being launched across Europe through a dedicated network of Infiniti Centres which share a commitment to individualised and exceptional customer service. For more information, see www.infiniti.eu.
* LOUIS VUITTON has been synonymous with the art of stylish travel since 1854. Since 1987, it has been part of L.V.M.H. / Moët Hennessy; Louis Vuitton, the world’s most prestigious luxury goods group, is headed by Bernard Arnault. Since 1997, with the arrival of the designer Marc Jacobs, it has extended its expertise to women’s and men’s ready-to-wear, shoes, watches and jewellery, sunglasses, combining traditional craftsmanship with flair and innovation to create a complete lifestyle experience. For more information, please visit www.louisvuitton.com.
* PICTURE CAPTION: Shiro Nakamura – Senior Vice President Infiniti Design – collects part of the Louis Vuitton custom luggage from the LV store in Roppongi, Tokyo for a concept car Infiniti will reveal on March 3, 2009.
December 1st, 2008 — infiniti
2009 Infiniti G37 Convertible Answers the Call of the
Open Road with an Inspired Open-Air Experience
– Seductive Coupe-like Styling, Three-Piece Folding Hardtop and 325 Horsepower
3.7-Liter VVEL V6 Provide Year-Round, All-Climate Excitement –
When the road calls, the Infiniti G has always been quick to answer. Since its introduction in 2002, the G has been known for delivering the most rewarding combination of fluid design and exhilarating performance in its segment. It’s a reputation that’s been burnished in the intervening years, with the successive introductions of second generations of each – the G37 Sedan and G37 Coupe – both brimming with advanced technology including the responsive 3.7-liter V6 with VVEL technology, available Intelligent All-Wheel Drive and premium audio and navigation systems.
Now, the Infiniti G is about to embark on a voyage to another dimension – the wide-open exhilaration of wide-open motoring – with the introduction of the all-new 2009 Infiniti G37 Convertible, which is scheduled to go on sale in spring 2009.
“As the latest expression of our Inspired Performance, the Infiniti G Convertible instills equal parts lust and envy – lust for its exotically beautiful styling and envy for its unmatched performance credentials,” said Ben Poore, vice president of marketing for Infiniti.
The G Convertible retains the Infiniti’s G’s sporty long cabin/short trunk proportions through use of a three-piece steel hardtop, providing a “dual beauty” – that rare occurrence when a convertible looks as good with the top up as down.
The G Convertible’s inviting interior includes standard leather-appointed seating, an available Bose® Open Air Sound System that dynamically changes equalization based on outside noise, top position and vehicle speed, an Adaptive Dual Zone Climate Control System that adjusts fan speed in accordance to top position and vehicle speed, and available Climate-Controlled seats that provides both heating and cooling functions.
Every 2009 G37 Convertible comes equipped with a standard 3.7-liter VQ-series V6 with VVEL (for Variable Valve Event and Lift) rated at 325 horsepower. The engine is backed by a choice of an electronically controlled 7-speed automatic transmission with available magnesium paddle shifters or a responsive close-ratio 6-speed manual transmission.
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November 19th, 2008 — Auto show / Motor Show, infiniti
November 5th, 2008 — infiniti
Nissan Motor luxury Infiniti brand is offering zero-percent financing for 36 months on all 2008 models to help consumers sidelined by the credit market squeeze, the automaker said on Wednesday.
The roll-out of the annual year-end sales promotion aimed at clearing out inventory comes ahead of its typical December launch schedule.
Nissan provides vehicle financing through its captive finance arm, Nissan Motor Acceptance Corporation, and increased discounts mean reduced profits for the automaker.
Nissan reported a 33 percent drop in U.S. sales for October on Monday, as industry-wide auto sales plunged to 25-year lows amid the lack of credit availability and record-low consumer confidence.
“We know there is still a demand for the luxury and performance of Infiniti automobiles, but with the negative consumer news of late, consumer perception is there’s no financing available,” said Ben Poore, vice president of marketing for Infiniti.
Infiniti also offers leasing as an alternative to traditional financing while some automakers have held back, Poore said.
General Motors Corp Chrysler LLC and Ford Motor Co have curtailed vehicle leasing in response to tighter borrowing costs for their captive finance arms and tumbling values of trucks and SUVs.
The sharp drop in U.S. industry-wide auto sales in October raised the stakes for an immediate and aggressive round of discounting in November and December.
October 11th, 2008 — infiniti, nissan, spyshot
4-Door Coupe R35 GTR to be a flagship of Infiniti V8 High-end Sedan
October 1st, 2008 — Auto show / Motor Show, infiniti
September 16th, 2008 — China Automotive Movement News
By George Gao From:Gasgoo.com September 16, 2008
Shanghai, September 16 (Gasgoo.com) As the sales of imported Nissan brand cars are fading out in China, Nissan (China) is introducing more new models to the Chinese market. The Infiniti EX35, a small SUV displayed at the 2008 Beijing auto show in April, and Infiniti G37, a luxury Coupe car, will go on sale in China on September 19, said China Business News yesterday.
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The Infiniti EX35, unveiled at 2007 New York Motor Show as a concept car, now is available in many global markets. The Infiniti SUV will be put on sale in China this week, likely to be priced at about 500,000 yuan ($73,000) to rival BMW X3, Land Rover Freelander 2 and Lexus RX 350. This Infiniti EX35 model for China sale mixes SUV and Crossover elements to meet the growing market demands for premium Crossover cars.
Another Infiniti model, G37 Coupe, will also go on sale in China along with the Infiniti EX35 this Friday. The Infiniti G37 Coupe is the first model of the latest Infiniti G37 series and is first equipped with Nissan’s all-new 3.7L VQ37HR engine. This G37 Coupe will fulfill Nissan’s goal of introducing at least five Infiniti models to China within two years after this brand landed in China last year.
In July 2007, Infiniti FX45, FX35 and G35 cars were first introduced to the China market, followed by the Infiniti M35 luxury sport sedan in December. Their sales in China reached 1,550 units in 2007 and nearly 3,000 units in the first half of this year. And the new-comer Infiniti EX35 and G37 Coupe are likely to boost the Infiniti lineup sales further in China.
The Infiniti brand sold up to 4,500 units in one year after it hit the Chinese market. The Infiniti dealerships in mainland China will increase to 14 from current 9. The sales of imported Nissan cars, such as Fuga and Quest, are fading out in China, giving way to Infiniti brand models.
April 19th, 2008 — Auto show / Motor Show, nissan
Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. today revealed the new Nissan Teana premium sedan at the 2008 Beijing International Automotive Exhibition. Joining the global debut of the Teana in Beijing is the Infiniti EX luxury sport crossover, launching for the first time in China.
“When we introduced Teana in 2004, it sent a clear signal that Nissan was serious about growth in China,” said Carlos Ghosn, President and CEO, Nissan Motor Company Ltd. “The all-new Teana again demonstrates our commitment to high quality and world-class products for the Chinese consumer,” continued Ghosn.
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