08/13/2007, 11:08 AM

Coupe

Infiniti to launch brand in Western Europe

In an effort to better compete against its rivals from Mercedes, BMW and Audi, Nissan announced that it plans to launch its Infiniti luxury brand across Western Europe in early 2008. After its success in the U.S. and most recently in Russia, Infiniti is poised to establish its base in Europe and take on its segment-leading, rival German brands. Infiniti is currently in the process of building up its European dealer network.

But Infiniti expects a slow start in Europe, according to Autmobilwoche, especially in Germany and the UK. There will only be 12 or 14 European dealers, each of which is expect to sell 500 cars by 2013. European operations are expected to be unprofitable for the first several years as the Infiniti brand establishes itself in a very competitive luxury market. However, these projected numbers could be a bit low as Infiniti’s three distributors in Russia have sold 7,000 cars over the last year. Infiniti Europe plans to sell such models as the new G37 coupe and a new crossover based on the EX concept.

 
 

08/13, 11:24 AM

posted by:

Syrax

strange cause they have the skyline there. they will have to kill it to introduce the g.

08/13, 11:25 AM

posted by:

jackjimturkey

I hate faux-uxury divisions, but that new 4-door datsun is beautiful.

08/13, 11:35 AM

posted by:

Deanster

Wow, this is ambitious. Most Europeans (except Brits who include Jag) look up to the Audi/BMW/MB trifecta when it comes to luxury sedans (+ or - Alfa Romeo), and trying to slide a Japanese brand in will be tough.

In Greece, they don’t even know what Lexus is, let alone Infiniti. It’s going to be an uphill battle.

08/13, 11:46 AM

posted by:

RicardoHead

The Japanese have fought uphill battles in every market they’ve conquered. They’ll do it there, also. It’ll just take longer because Europeans are stodgy when it comes to non-euro marques.

08/13, 12:20 PM

posted by:

1487_GM_SALES

Europeans prefer Opels and Vauxhalls for their superior quality and durability. Somehting that no Japcrap or German brand can offer.

Why bother.

08/13, 12:26 PM

posted by:

lyndon_h

Oh yeah, i’m sure the Opels and Vauxhalls are MUCH more reliable than Hondas or Toyotas. The Euro brands run the table when it comes to durability, huh?

08/13, 12:49 PM

posted by:

jackjimturkey

luyndon: I don’t see how a company could sell a car that’s LESS reliable than a toyonda and stay in business

08/13, 1:56 PM

posted by:

Veda

jackjimturkey, look at AlfaRomeo. It’s all about selling emotion.

08/13, 2:30 PM

posted by:

1487_GM_SALES

YOu can;t beat an Opel or Vaxhaull when it comes to reliability. You’ll never, ever see one broken down, they just go on and on forever. Toyonda owners will have 15 major mechanical failures in the same time an GM owner has its first brake job. Even worse are the suckers with POS BMW’s and Audis. Those cars live at the repair shop!

08/13, 2:49 PM

posted by:

Commodore

Ricardo head - maybe they’re patriotic? In the UK they are still loyal to Jags and Bentleys, in Italy they like their Alfa Romeos, in Germany their BMW and Benzes, in France they like their Citroens and Peugeouts with a couple extra luxury features…very different from the US.

I do like Infitis, but they are second tier luxury still, dressed up Nissans, and I wish em luck competiting with the best.

08/13, 3:21 PM

posted by:

RicardoHead

I agree they are patriotic, Commodore. Nothing wrong with that, also, but when Americans are patriotic everyone says we are race-hating xenophobes. It’s just okay for others to be that way.

08/13, 3:56 PM

posted by:

Deanster

Actually, I think I saw more MBs, BMWs, and Audis than Alfas in Italy. They LOVE German cars there too.

08/13, 4:06 PM

posted by:

jackjimturkey

veda: Alfas are pretty. And italian. You don’t really need to be anything else. Saab — now that’s a car that’s not often cross-shopped. People who buy saabs aren’t considering anything else.

R-head: for some reason, we’re supposed to be humble and not remind GIJ that we kicked their asses. Maybe we’re still feeling sorry about kicking their asses, i don’t know.

There’s just too much pressure to participate in a “global economy.”

08/14, 3:22 AM

posted by:

Jordan

we’re patriotic about the wrong things.

we don’t buy american brands, we “support” the war in iraq but refuse to make any concessions at home in order to fund it… if we actually gave a **** about the war we’d have gasoline rationing and doing all we could to support the war effort and bring people home safe.

yet we don’t hesitate to brag about how we “kicked japan’s ass” in world war ii, my country can beat up your country, etc…

it’s really kind of sickening.

08/14, 3:44 AM

posted by:

Saud

Syrax, the skyline & the g are one & the same

08/14, 7:04 AM

posted by:

Eurolion

I don’t think Infiniti will make it over here, at least before they introduce diesel engines. Let’s face it, here diesel cars represent over 60% of the new car market in several continental european countries, Austria and Portugal are probably the biggest diesel car buyers, but disesels are way over 50% in many markets.

08/14, 7:58 AM

posted by:

1487_GM_SALES

So does this problematic POS cost more to fix than those piles of crap Nissan is selling? Might want to look at a Pontiac or speak with one of the millions of happy owners who never ever worry about their cars leaving them stranded. Might learn a thing or two about why not to buy Nissan.

08/14, 11:36 AM

posted by:

jackjimturkey

jordan: I drive an oldsmobile: we did indeed keep japan’s ass (and germany’s and italy’s) Not bragging, just stating the fact.

I don’t support George W’s War

Mass graves for the pump and the price is set, and the price is set

 
 
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