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Is Nissan about to cancel the Infiniti brand in the US?
Posted on 5/5/20 at 11:49 am
Posted on 5/5/20 at 11:49 am
The Infiniti brand is being pulled out of Europe this year, leaving it heavily reliant on the US and Canadian markets for success. Unfortunately, their outlook in the US is not much better. Like other Japanese automotive luxury brands, Infiniti sales were down in 2019 - except that Infiniti sales were down an astounding 25% in 2019 from 2017 (much worse performance than Acura and Lexus, who also struggled in that same period). Covid-19 will undoubtedly make it even worse for 2020.
Infiniti's lineup is almost all very old designs that don't excite anyone. They offer almost nothing that stands out among its competitive set. The only selling point they have is that their products are cheaper than Lexus, BMW, Cadillac, and even Volvo. The Europeans, Americans, and even the Korean's have made major investments into their luxury cars while Infiniti has basically ignored their lineup.
The only vestige from their high water mark (Introduction of G35 sedan in the early 2000's) is the ancient Q50 sedan. If you are willing to put up with a luxury car that is missing a lot of tech features, you can pick one of these up for a far lower price than a comparable BMW, Mercedes, Audi, Cadillac, or Genesis. The Q50 is the only Infiniti that has the potential for entertaining the driver, which was the primary appeal of the successful G35 sports sedan.
Their hottest selling (and likely most profitable) product is a common feature on rental car lots - and is a ultimately just an unconvincing rebadge of an already disappointing Nissan minivan with a CVT transmission, gritty V6 engine, and the most outdated infotainment system in this market. It costs significantly less than its competitors and there are no plans to significantly improve this car within the next two years.
Infiniti QX60/J35 crossover - wasn't particularly competitive when it came out 8 years ago. It's easily worst in class now, relying on fleet sales and steep discounts to move.
Infiniti Q50 sedan/coupe- this is an 8 year old sedan design that appeals to value minded shoppers. There is an attractive two door coupe variant, but no one buys it. This is probably the only acceptable Infiniti product, and it's not a compelling buy over the competitors.
Infiniti QX80 SUV- now a 10 year old design. It costs about $25,000 less than a comparable Range Rover, Cadillac, or Lincoln full sized luxury SUV - and for that, you lose out on a lot of the common tech features that luxury car buyers demand. The engine also has a disappointing "bolts in a blender" sound quality that's common with Nissan V6 and V8 engines.
The QX50 crossover - Infiniti's latest product, is actually based off of the previous generation Nissan Rogue, complete with a surprisingly decent 4 cylinder engine that's handicapped by an annoying and unreliable CVT. This design dates back to 2017, and is the most up to date product that Infiniti can offer consumers.
Infiniti doesn't currently have a plan to put up the massive investment required to return the brand to success. Their only new models are re-badged Nissan products with CVT transmissions - which are largely rejected in the luxury/high end car market.
What are the chances that Nissan pulls the plug on the entire brand in the US and Canadian markets?
Infiniti's lineup is almost all very old designs that don't excite anyone. They offer almost nothing that stands out among its competitive set. The only selling point they have is that their products are cheaper than Lexus, BMW, Cadillac, and even Volvo. The Europeans, Americans, and even the Korean's have made major investments into their luxury cars while Infiniti has basically ignored their lineup.
The only vestige from their high water mark (Introduction of G35 sedan in the early 2000's) is the ancient Q50 sedan. If you are willing to put up with a luxury car that is missing a lot of tech features, you can pick one of these up for a far lower price than a comparable BMW, Mercedes, Audi, Cadillac, or Genesis. The Q50 is the only Infiniti that has the potential for entertaining the driver, which was the primary appeal of the successful G35 sports sedan.
Their hottest selling (and likely most profitable) product is a common feature on rental car lots - and is a ultimately just an unconvincing rebadge of an already disappointing Nissan minivan with a CVT transmission, gritty V6 engine, and the most outdated infotainment system in this market. It costs significantly less than its competitors and there are no plans to significantly improve this car within the next two years.
Infiniti QX60/J35 crossover - wasn't particularly competitive when it came out 8 years ago. It's easily worst in class now, relying on fleet sales and steep discounts to move.
Infiniti Q50 sedan/coupe- this is an 8 year old sedan design that appeals to value minded shoppers. There is an attractive two door coupe variant, but no one buys it. This is probably the only acceptable Infiniti product, and it's not a compelling buy over the competitors.
Infiniti QX80 SUV- now a 10 year old design. It costs about $25,000 less than a comparable Range Rover, Cadillac, or Lincoln full sized luxury SUV - and for that, you lose out on a lot of the common tech features that luxury car buyers demand. The engine also has a disappointing "bolts in a blender" sound quality that's common with Nissan V6 and V8 engines.
The QX50 crossover - Infiniti's latest product, is actually based off of the previous generation Nissan Rogue, complete with a surprisingly decent 4 cylinder engine that's handicapped by an annoying and unreliable CVT. This design dates back to 2017, and is the most up to date product that Infiniti can offer consumers.
Infiniti doesn't currently have a plan to put up the massive investment required to return the brand to success. Their only new models are re-badged Nissan products with CVT transmissions - which are largely rejected in the luxury/high end car market.
What are the chances that Nissan pulls the plug on the entire brand in the US and Canadian markets?
Posted on 5/5/20 at 11:53 am to member12
quote:
Their only new models are re-badged Nissan products with CVT transmissions - which are largely rejected in the luxury/high end car market.
It’s been that way for a while. They are nissans with slightly higher end trims.
Posted on 5/5/20 at 11:57 am to CoachChappy
quote:
It’s been that way for a while. They are nissans with slightly higher end trims.
Even the competitors that are basically just fancy versions of mainstream cars have up to date infotainment systems, newer designs, and don't bother with a CVT.
I think the CVT has a minor negative impact on Nissan sales, but it's completely devastating to a performance/luxury brand like Infiniti.
Posted on 5/5/20 at 11:58 am to member12
They should pull the plug on the cvt transmission.
Posted on 5/5/20 at 11:59 am to CoachChappy
quote:
They are nissans with slightly higher end trims.
All of the Japanese brands are this
Posted on 5/5/20 at 12:02 pm to member12
I was surprised when the Japanese luxury concept took off. It was in the late 80s or early 90s, I think. The notion that someone looking at, say, BMWs would comparison shop at a place that sold high-end Toyotas seemed dubious to me.
The Japanese succeeded, though, because those first Acura, Lexus, and Infiniti products were really good. It's been a while since any of those brands put out something that really appealed to me, though, like the original Q45 or SC400 did.
The Japanese succeeded, though, because those first Acura, Lexus, and Infiniti products were really good. It's been a while since any of those brands put out something that really appealed to me, though, like the original Q45 or SC400 did.
Posted on 5/5/20 at 12:03 pm to East Coast Band
quote:
All of the Japanese brands are this
And all of them are seeing sales declines in the past 3 years.
Even Cadillac was up for that same period. Lincoln held steady.
Posted on 5/5/20 at 12:04 pm to member12
There's nothing competitive nor compelling about the product. No real identity. I couldn't name a single Infiniti model that I would own unlike Audi, BMW or Mercedes.
Posted on 5/5/20 at 12:06 pm to USMEagles
quote:
The notion that someone looking at, say, BMWs would comparison shop at a place that sold high-end Toyotas seemed dubious to me.
To be fair the Jap brands are hell of a lot better cars to own long term or to buy off a lease. Want a 3 year old luxury brand, Jap over Euro is hell of a lot cheaper.
Given that, no one cares about long term ownership when buying a luxury car new.
Posted on 5/5/20 at 12:06 pm to East Coast Band
quote:
All of the Japanese brands are this
True, but Nissan seems like it starts farther behind AND the gap between standard and luxury variants are smaller
Posted on 5/5/20 at 12:08 pm to Pettifogger
quote:
True, but Nissan seems like it starts farther behind AND the gap between standard and luxury variants are smaller
I can't think of a single Nissan or Infiniti product that I'd realistically purchase over a competitor.
I could probably think of at least 2-3 for every other car company without much effort.
This post was edited on 5/5/20 at 12:10 pm
Posted on 5/5/20 at 12:10 pm to member12
quote:
The engine also has a disappointing "bolts in a blender" sound quality that's common with Nissan V6 and V8 engines.
Are you retarded?
Posted on 5/5/20 at 12:12 pm to X123F45
quote:
Are you retarded?
Have you driven a V6 or V8 Nissan recently? Even if you can ignore the horrible infotainment, dated design, and CVTs....you will hear the lack of quality in the engine.
I don't notice that with Acura or BMW at all.
Posted on 5/5/20 at 12:12 pm to member12
Nissan is struggling bad shut down until July aug maybe longer prob dumping 1/3 or more of the mfg jobs won’t come back after they re open
Posted on 5/5/20 at 12:15 pm to eScott
quote:
They should pull the plug on the cvt transmission.
They may as well ditch it entirely and go full electric. Most of their gasoline engines are old enough to drink.
Posted on 5/5/20 at 12:17 pm to member12
quote:
Infiniti
I think it's time to revoke their luxury car status.
You can get an Infiniti for the price of a similar sized loaded up Toyota or Honda. And you will still wish you bought the loaded up Toyota or Honda.
Posted on 5/5/20 at 12:17 pm to member12
I've had a sedan for 9 years and one of the SUV models for two years. They have been fantastic and the local service group is as good as any we have ever dealt with in the past.
Hope they stay around.
Hope they stay around.
Posted on 5/5/20 at 12:17 pm to USMEagles
quote:
like the original Q45 or SC400 did.
I had an original SC400. I received many speeding tickets at 18 years old. I wish I had kept that car, I probably would have totaled it at some point.
Posted on 5/5/20 at 12:20 pm to Tri City Tigers
Nissan might be about to cancel Nissan at the rate they are going.
Posted on 5/5/20 at 12:20 pm to member12
The beginning of the end for them was when they started naming every vehicle Q. Then the genius behind the Q naming structure went to Cadillac and ruined shite there as well.
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