Tuesday 25th April 2006

Nissan to bring Infiniti to UK

Could it spell the end for the 350Z?

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Infiniti G35 coupe

Nissan has announced that its Infiniti brand, consisting mostly of upmarket cars, will arrive in Europe in 2008 -- and it could mean the end of the sporty and well-received Nissan 350Z. The announcement was made in Tokyo by company boss Carlos Ghosn, during a press conference for the 2005 fiscal year results.

Full details of the final product range, ownership experience and business structure will be disclosed closer to launch. That could mean the 350Z coupé -- probably Nissan's most interesting vehicle on sale in the UK -- becomes subsumed into the Infiniti range, since Nissan sells a very similar and related model, the Infiniti G35. It comes in both coupé and saloon formats and is seen as a 3-Series competitor, so that could see the end of the 350Z as a standalone sports car in the Nissan range.

And the rest of the range? It consists mainly of SUVs, crossover vehicles and technology-stuffed luxo-barges. Infiniti will be distributed in Europe through a dedicated sales and service network that will start operations during 2008.

About Infiniti

Launched in the US and Canada in 1989, Infiniti is currently sold across North America, Taiwan, the Middle East and Korea. In 2006, Infiniti will be launched in Russia followed by China and Ukraine during 2007.

"In 1999 we made the decision to re-invest heavily in the Infiniti brand, focusing on outstanding products and a premium ownership experience," said Ghosn. "That investment has made Infiniti the fastest-growing luxury brand in the US and one that is recognised globally for its blend of design, performance and luxury. We are now ready to bring this unique brand to consumers in Europe."

As a result, according to Nissan, sales in the US grew from 72,637 vehicles to 136,401 vehicles in 2005, an 88 per cent increase.

"This is the ideal time for Infiniti to launch in Europe," said European sales chief Brian Carolin. "This timing allows us to bring the next generation of Infiniti models, including a fully competitive line-up of petrol and diesel engines, specifically designed for the demanding needs of our European premium customers."

In Europe, Nissan employs 12,000 people in its design, research and development, manufacturing, logistics, and sales and marketing operations. In 2005, the company produced a total of 508,901 vehicles in its British and Spanish plants and sold 540,954 vehicles in Europe. Nissan Europe's headquarters is based in Trappes (Paris), France.

• More about Infiniti's range

[anonymous-user]

Some decent mainsteam cars in the range; Nissan's alternative to Lexus although slightly different market position. Should scare the daylights out of the big makers.

I don't believe for one second Nissan would drop 350Z for UK. It's a completely different style of car.

[Mr E]

The G35 is 4 seats and a bit softer I think.

[135sport]

Correct, in its current guise the G35 is noticeably softer than a Z, and the Z is only two seats.

Also, the Z and G35 are both available in the USA market, so why would there not be space for them in the EU market?

[r988]

135sport said:

Correct, in its current guise the G35 is noticeably softer than a Z, and the Z is only two seats. Also, the Z and G35 are both available in the USA market, so why would there not be space for them in the EU market?

Exactly my thoughts, and lets not forget the new (also 350Z based) GT-R coming along soon.

But why not call them all Datsuns and be done with it

[fwdracer]

r988 said:

135sport said: Correct, in its current guise the G35 is noticeably softer than a Z, and the Z is only two seats. Also, the Z and G35 are both available in the USA market, so why would there not be space for them in the EU market? Exactly my thoughts, and lets not forget the new (also 350Z based) GT-R coming along soon. But why not call them all Datsuns and be done with it

The choice of Taxi drivers the world over....

[dean_ratpac]

isn't this the base for the new GTR?

[NJS25]

I think Nissan use North Wales for testing their vehicles.

A couple of years ago I followed a wierd looking 4x4 MPV thing along the A55, turned out to be the Murano.

I've also seen a facelifted Micra (front similar to the Murano, looked very nice), and a couple of weeks ago something which looked like a 350Z but uglier.

Yep, it was the G coupe. On recent experience expect to see it on the streets in 18 months or so. Looked awful IMHO, I think they would be mad to drop the 350z for it, however I'm not sure how the two cars would fit in the model range. I have been expecting Nissan to make a play for the Infiniti range in this country for some time, and I suspect they are finally about to take the plunge.

I'll keep my eyes open and let you know.

Regards, Neil

[Gentelman]

Both the 350Z and the G35 sell here in the 'States, and well. Besides, I'm pretty sure the G35x is in fact a rebadged Skyline.

[zevans]

Funny... I also spotted a G35 near Blackburn yesterday. Assumed it was a grey import, but you never know...

Surely the 350 is, and will be for the forseeable, Nissan's pure sports coupe - I don't see why any potential G35 customer would even look twice at the 350Z.

[Rob_F]

I spotted a G35 the other day for the first time too, and i must say i thought it was lovely.

Cheers,
Rob.

[Tvrtastic]

Good news Nissan have come on leaps and bounds in the last few years with some great products onward and upward!P.s Mr Goshn theres a small firm in Blackpool you could probably buy!

[MalcolmS]

My main problem with Infiniti is the name - it just sounds so naff - it seems to reek of focus groups and brand engineering somehow. Eugh.

[thirsty]

MalcolmS said:

My main problem with Infiniti is the name - it just sounds so naff - it seems to reek of focus groups and brand engineering somehow. Eugh.

You got it... that name was dreamed up to cater to the 1980s Yuppies.

The G35 coupe and 350Z both sell very well here in the USA. Even though they are based on the same platform, they really are two different cars (ala Audi TT and VW Golf ... ) The G35 coupe is for old farts like me who want to carve up the road while listening to a Bose stereo and enjoying how my arse feels on the comfy seats .......

[keithyboy]

r988 said:

But why not call them all Datsuns and be done with it

. . . but that's like calling all Lexuses (Lexi?) Toyotas Much better finished cars - both Infiniti & Lexus

[skid solo]

NJS25 said:

I think Nissan use North Wales for testing their vehicles. A couple of years ago I followed a wierd looking 4x4 MPV thing along the A55, turned out to be the Murano. I've also seen a facelifted Micra (front similar to the Murano, looked very nice), and a couple of weeks ago something which looked like a 350Z but uglier. Yep, it was the G coupe. On recent experience expect to see it on the streets in 18 months or so. Looked awful IMHO, I think they would be mad to drop the 350z for it, however I'm not sure how the two cars would fit in the model range. I have been expecting Nissan to make a play for the Infiniti range in this country for some time, and I suspect they are finally about to take the plunge. I'll keep my eyes open and let you know.Regards, Neil

Testing usually centres around test tracks if the car is in its early stages of development. Occasionaly a drive on public roads happen and they try and pick varied roads for as many evaluations in one go, but this will only happen under heavy camouflauge or when the car is near production.

The G35 has been out in the domestic market for a few years, and based the platform for the 350Z, so the ones in this country are all imports at the moment. Comments were correct about the G35 being softer, hence the need for the huge rear strut brace on the Z, still a good car with 2/2 seat config and a deccent turn of speed.

[Darth Dave]

I said they'd do this more than six months ago.

For those of you who read those comments : I thank you.

[avantone]

FX4 please - saw a few recently in NY - sounds great with that 4.5 V8

<img src="www.autogazeta.com/g/394/infiniti_fx45_2.jpg">

[nimmler]

keithyboy said:

r988 said: But why not call them all Datsuns and be done with it . . . but that's like calling all Lexuses (Lexi?) Toyotas Much better finished cars - both Infiniti & Lexus

or calling tvr's poorly built piles of sh!t.