In China, ESQ Stands For "Rebadged Nissans With Mega Margins"
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.
More by Derek Kreindler
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You know, make those big fog lamps a little smaller, and fill in the area with grille instead - and you have... a Kia.
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.