RE: Infiniti To Create Performance Sub-Brand
Tuesday 25th May 2010
This sketch is a part of a trademark filing by Nissan North America for something mysteriously entitled 'IPL'.
Infiniti To Create Performance Sub-Brand
US Trademark filing reveals Nissan's plans for hot Infinitis
This stands for Infiniti Performance Line, and will be used as a label for a series of performance upgrades, including "High performance motor vehicle parts, namely drop in filters for automotive engines, catback exhaust systems comprised of muffler assemblies, exhaust tips and connecting pipes."
Most interesting is the part of the filing that cites "automotive engine parts, namely turbo chargers and super chargers".
That means a range of go-faster bits for hot Infinitis are almost certainly on the way to the US. Sounds appealing, but IPL Infinitis in the UK are still a long way off.
We spoke to a friendly chap from Infiniti Europe who said that, since the brand was so new to the UK, we wouldn't be getting IPL Infinitis just yet. He didn't rule it out for the future, however...
Discussion
Looking forward to it,
Some tuned G37 with a warranty will go down nicely
http://www.dymee.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-o-matic...
Some tuned G37 with a warranty will go down nicely
http://www.dymee.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-o-matic...
Jigsjigz said:
Wow... now i know why all these car companys are going bust... they hype up random pencil drawings that arent even finished... then usally give us cars that look like sum1 pooped on them.
You think Infiniti is going bust? The cars they sell are just Nissans rebated for the US and now Euro market. The G37 is the skyline 370GT, Zed Ed said:
ctallchris said:
Infinity GTR...
I think i like this news
already exists; order the white leather interior, drive around in comfort mode and tune to Radio 3 or moreI think i like this news
Could you blame them, especially in Europe,so many badge snobs out there, some may never know Infiniti is Nissan, same as Toyota is Lexus.
Blue Meanie said:
Jigsjigz said:
Wow... now i know why all these car companys are going bust... they hype up random pencil drawings that arent even finished... then usally give us cars that look like sum1 pooped on them.
You think Infiniti is going bust? The cars they sell are just Nissans rebated for the US and now Euro market. The G37 is the skyline 370GT, Really? These Infinitis are just Nissans with another badge and £5K higher price? When did Infiniti build the cachet to get away with that in Europe?
Infiniti, or Lexus for that matter, are nowhere near BMW or Mercedes as brands and can't get away with riding the badge so it's rather stupid to bring up that old piece of "wisdom".
Infiniti, or Lexus for that matter, are nowhere near BMW or Mercedes as brands and can't get away with riding the badge so it's rather stupid to bring up that old piece of "wisdom".
ptopman said:
Really? These Infinitis are just Nissans with another badge and £5K higher price? When did Infiniti build the cachet to get away with that in Europe?
Infiniti, or Lexus for that matter, are nowhere near BMW or Mercedes as brands and can't get away with riding the badge so it's rather stupid to bring up that old piece of "wisdom".
They are, yes, but only a few. They tend to be the rwd versions like the G37, M-something or other... Have a look at the range before passing judgement. In japan badge snobbery doesn't seem to be an issue, but elsewhere it is. The sell the Skyline 350/370GT quite happily as an 'upper' model, but the US and Europe won't stomach that because they only see BMW or Mercedes, et al as that sort of car. Infiniti, or Lexus for that matter, are nowhere near BMW or Mercedes as brands and can't get away with riding the badge so it's rather stupid to bring up that old piece of "wisdom".
Blue Meanie said:
ptopman said:
Really? These Infinitis are just Nissans with another badge and £5K higher price? When did Infiniti build the cachet to get away with that in Europe?
Infiniti, or Lexus for that matter, are nowhere near BMW or Mercedes as brands and can't get away with riding the badge so it's rather stupid to bring up that old piece of "wisdom".
They are, yes, but only a few. They tend to be the rwd versions like the G37, M-something or other... Have a look at the range before passing judgement. In japan badge snobbery doesn't seem to be an issue, but elsewhere it is. The sell the Skyline 350/370GT quite happily as an 'upper' model, but the US and Europe won't stomach that because they only see BMW or Mercedes, et al as that sort of car. Infiniti, or Lexus for that matter, are nowhere near BMW or Mercedes as brands and can't get away with riding the badge so it's rather stupid to bring up that old piece of "wisdom".
In contrast, consider the recent news that the great majority of BMW buyers don't test drive. They could for some time get away with pushing sub-par product at a premium price as Mercedes did for almost a decade. Not so for Infiniti or Lexus, IMO.
Of course the idiots should have worked on adding smaller engines and diesels to their range before their attempt at the European market. No wonder there is so little buzz.
Edited by ptopman on Wednesday 26th May 18:50
Smaller engines? And the euro population would have utterly scoffed at a 'luxury' brand with tiny engines. The good thing, in my mind, is that with the Infiniti range, you know every one of them has a good engine, be it a V6, or a V8. There is no badge olympics with a 316 disguised as a 335i, or any of that range differential. You have relatively little change, and simply a few models, 'sport' or 'premium'. It is relatively simple. It will never replace BMW or Merc in Europe, or even the US, but it is another option aside from the usual Germanic choices, and they are very well specced indeed.
Smaller engines not instead of, but in addition to their current range. They have nothing below 3.7 liters. Consider eco concerns, taxes, insurance premiums and the deck is stacked against large petrol engines. BMW and MB sell a lot of diesels and I'd wager the share of 3.5+ liter engines in their sales isn't even a quarter. Infiniti is foregoing a very large segment and I don't think this will help them build a reputation any faster.
If the cars don't sell well because there are only high end offerings, it's going to be difficult to keep dealers profitable and able to look after their clients. Low sales also reduce their visibility on streets, word of mouth, etc. that could build consumer mindshare.
Having 1.6 or 1.8 liter engines might give a bad impression initially, so I see your point there, but the reasonable entry point is probably 2 liters for a 3 series competitor and 2.5 liters for a 5 series competitor.
If the cars don't sell well because there are only high end offerings, it's going to be difficult to keep dealers profitable and able to look after their clients. Low sales also reduce their visibility on streets, word of mouth, etc. that could build consumer mindshare.
Having 1.6 or 1.8 liter engines might give a bad impression initially, so I see your point there, but the reasonable entry point is probably 2 liters for a 3 series competitor and 2.5 liters for a 5 series competitor.
ctallchris said:
Zed Ed said:
ctallchris said:
Infinity GTR...
I think i like this news
already exists; order the white leather interior, drive around in comfort mode and tune to Radio 3 or moreI think i like this news
Blue Meanie said:
Smaller engines? And the euro population would have utterly scoffed at a 'luxury' brand with tiny engines. The good thing, in my mind, is that with the Infiniti range, you know every one of them has a good engine, be it a V6, or a V8. There is no badge olympics with a 316 disguised as a 335i, or any of that range differential. You have relatively little change, and simply a few models, 'sport' or 'premium'. It is relatively simple. It will never replace BMW or Merc in Europe, or even the US, but it is another option aside from the usual Germanic choices, and they are very well specced indeed.
Are you for real? I'd wager that 50%> of Audi and BMW sales in the UK are ~2.0-litre diesel-engined repmobiles. The average Audi/BMW 'buyer' is a fleet manager, and they don't seem to favour 3.7+ litre petrol engines...for some strange reason.
IMHO Infiniti sales will be very poor in the UK, despite great products, until they introduce fuel/tax efficient small engines (petrol and diesel). Therefore the possible partnership with Merc (see the other thread for details) makes a lot of sense. The Mercedes 250CDI and 320CDI engines would be a great starting point for Infiniti.
As for the perceived product quality, I'll just say this: Which countries' manufacturers are ALWAYS at the top of the reliability charts? In actual fact (if you look at the figures), Audis, BMWs and Mercs suffer from just as many defects and faults as supposed "everyday" brands like Ford and Vauxhall.
Personally, I can't wait for models such as the G37s to depreciate enough to make them affordable to average Joe.
Clivey said:
Blue Meanie said:
Smaller engines? And the euro population would have utterly scoffed at a 'luxury' brand with tiny engines. The good thing, in my mind, is that with the Infiniti range, you know every one of them has a good engine, be it a V6, or a V8. There is no badge olympics with a 316 disguised as a 335i, or any of that range differential. You have relatively little change, and simply a few models, 'sport' or 'premium'. It is relatively simple. It will never replace BMW or Merc in Europe, or even the US, but it is another option aside from the usual Germanic choices, and they are very well specced indeed.
Are you for real? I'd wager that 50%> of Audi and BMW sales in the UK are ~2.0-litre diesel-engined repmobiles. The average Audi/BMW 'buyer' is a fleet manager, and they don't seem to favour 3.7+ litre petrol engines...for some strange reason.IMHO Infiniti sales will be very poor in the UK, despite great products, until they introduce fuel/tax efficient small engines (petrol and diesel). Therefore the possible partnership with Merc (see the other thread for details) makes a lot of sense. The Mercedes 250CDI and 320CDI engines would be a great starting point for Infiniti.
As for the perceived product quality, I'll just say this: Which countries' manufacturers are ALWAYS at the top of the reliability charts? In actual fact (if you look at the figures), Audis, BMWs and Mercs suffer from just as many defects and faults as supposed "everyday" brands like Ford and Vauxhall.
Personally, I can't wait for models such as the G37s to depreciate enough to make them affordable to average Joe.
die fahrt said:
ctallchris said:
Zed Ed said:
ctallchris said:
Infinity GTR...
I think i like this news
already exists; order the white leather interior, drive around in comfort mode and tune to Radio 3 or moreI think i like this news
Blue Meanie said:
You missed my point entirely. What I am saying is that introducing a new range of cars labelled as luxury, or executive, and having them have a range of engines like Audi or merc will not work. First they have to establish a brand, and an image. They can do that by having a range that does not consist of piddly engines, or diesels. By setting themselves apart as a brand with more beefy engines, rather than the average 2 liter et al, they can garner an image. When I see an Infiniti in the states, I don't think, ooh, is that a 1.6, or a diesel, etc. I think " there is a car with a beefy engine" no matter which one it is. That is how they will set themselves apart.
I'm not trying to be funny/start an argument , but even after re-reading your orignal post several times, I cannot see where you made that point.However, now that you've explained what you meant I agree that you have something there...the only problem being, as I said before, that if buyers can't afford the running costs of an Infiniti (and therefore don't buy them), they won't last long despite building fantastic cars.
Blue Meanie said:
As for reliability, I don't think a a deal with Mercedes will improve that.
Another good point, however so far the latest Merc diesels seem to be up to par in terms of reliability...touch wood!
The only thing is: With Nissan being tied-up with Renault, I suspect they'll use Renault diesels if they can't get them from Mercedes...and personally I wouldn't fancy Renault reliability in a "premium"car. Actually, having said that; the Audi A5 has just been named as the least reliable new car in the UK, but that doesn't stop them selling. Or maintaining the "premium" image.
Gassing Station | General Gassing [Archive] | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff