Comments on: Nissan Sends Infiniti to Europe– and Beyond!

By: nichjs

nichjs — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 14:16:24 +0000

“value-priced” AND “exclusive”? they’re fairly mutually, er, exclusive… aren’t they?

By: Mirko Reinhardt

Mirko Reinhardt — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 06:37:08 +0000

No diesel until 2010? They are doomed.

BMW sells 70% diesels in Europe. I highly suspect that pretty much all the gassers they sell are rental-spec 116i and 318d.
If Infiniti wants any kind of success, they have to compete in the company car market. European fleet managers won’t buy into 300+hp gassers, because they depreciate like a used toothbrush.

By: John R

John R — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 04:58:39 +0000

Well if the G35 does well with Jeremy and puts up a good time on the track, that’s half the battle already. :)

By: Gardiner Westbound

Gardiner Westbound — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 23:57:16 +0000

Infiniti may be sufficently unique to make it in Europe. A significant number of Infiniti FX SUV’s, surely an extraordinary model, have been privately imported by Europeans.

By: jesqer

jesqer — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 22:23:40 +0000

“But in Europe why would people want to buy a “Japanese BMW” when they can buy an actual BMW?”

I think the exact same question/issue exists in the US as in Europe. It’s not like we don’t have hundreds of BMW dealers here, with a full lineup of models to choose from. 127,038 people last year (me included for full disclosure) still chose to buy the “Japanese BMW” over an actual BMW. I think those looking for a RWD, luxurious, sporty-handling, reliable (the key for me), and value-for-the-dollar car would look long and hard at Infiniti over BMW.

Now, I have my doubts about whether Infiniti will be successful in Europe, seeing how it has taken them almost 20 years to gain traction in the US (and even then, they are way behind the big three of BMW, M-B, and Lexus). As Robert noted in the article, branding will be key…

By: Johnson

Johnson — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 18:39:55 +0000

The problem is Infiniti offers nothing special even compared to Lexus. With so many brand snobs in Europe, many will stick to the established brands. Infiniti execs admit their goal is to be a “Japanese BMW”. But in Europe why would people want to buy a “Japanese BMW” when they can buy an actual BMW?

Lexus is gaining traction in Europe with its hybrid models, simply because that is something the competition does not have. In Europe or other markets, if you want a luxury hybrid Lexus is basically your only choice right now, and Lexus seems to be taking advantage of that in Europe.

Infiniti will have to offer something unique in Europe to gain traction. Sporty cars, good customer service, and value won’t be enough.

By: whatdoiknow1

whatdoiknow1 — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 18:07:50 +0000

How does the exchange rate effect the prices of these cars in Europe? Will they enjoy the same price advantage that they have in the USA?

By: playdrv4me

playdrv4me — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 18:07:15 +0000

I’d say the time is finally right for them to attempt this.

For the longest while there Infiniti was nothing but a useless footnote in automotive history after the ORIGINAL zooted up 1990-1996 Q45 ended production and was replaced by the Cima based car, and then that utterly disastrous 2002-2005 contraption.

Now the G, the FX and the EX are proving to be heavy hitters that have the sex appeal, performance and (FINALLY) the interior to back all of that up. I don’t see any reason why Europeans would thumb their noses at anything as especially damn sexy as the G37″s”, or find the EX series uniquely practical depending on engine choices (engine variety will be KEY to the European market particularly for the cross-overs).

This all coming from an American/German car die-hard who does his best to avoid the status-quo Japanese. Credit where it’s due I guess.