In China, ESQ Stands For "Rebadged Nissans With Mega Margins"

Derek Kreindler
by Derek Kreindler

Infiniti is said to be expanding their model lineup in coming years, with a range of new passenger cars and CUVs. But the company is so hungry for a compact crossover, right now, that they aren’t even waiting for the upcoming QX30.

Based on the Nismo version of the Nissan Juke, the ESQ will be a low-volume, China-only product, for Chinese consumers who are foaming at the mouth to get their hands on any small, two-box vehicle with a raised ride height and a premium badge. Evidently, there’s quite a few of them, and Nissan should profit handsomely off of this product.

Carnewschina is reporting that the Juke-based ESQ will be priced between $32,000 and $49,000 USD, and that this is the first in a sub-brand lineup of ESQ cars targeted at young luxury buyers. Given that Nissan is selling a vehicle that sells for $23,000-$26,000 in the USA for nearly twice the cost, you can hardly blame their motives – or wonder what other products are in store for the ESQ lineup.



Derek Kreindler
Derek Kreindler

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  • Corey Lewis Corey Lewis on Aug 20, 2014

    You know, make those big fog lamps a little smaller, and fill in the area with grille instead - and you have... a Kia.

  • Bosozoku Bosozoku on Aug 20, 2014

    Even the Cadillac Cimarron wasn't this cynical. Then again, Acura seems to be flogging the ILX with little trouble, so maybe the next-gen Juke (ugh, who buys these?) will have an Infiniti twin stateside, too. I can see it now: The QX20 1.6, starting at $29,995. And it will be their biggest seller ever. RIP Infiniti.

  • ToolGuy Once again my home did not catch on fire and my fire extinguisher(s) stayed in the closet, unused. I guess I threw my money away on fire extinguishers.(And by fire extinguishers I mean nuclear missiles.)
  • Carson D The UAW has succeeded in organizing a US VW plant before. There's a reason they don't teach history in the schools any longer. People wouldn't make the same mistakes.
  • B-BodyBuick84 Mitsubishi Pajero Sport of course, a 7 seater, 2.4 turbo-diesel I4 BOF SUV with Super-Select 4WD, centre and rear locking diffs standard of course.
  • Corey Lewis Think how dated this 80s design was by 1995!
  • Tassos Jong-iL Communist America Rises!
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