Infiniti - unfairly overlooked?
Discussion
Infiniti is a big brand globally.
We all see the Red Bulls carrying their brand in F1.
They are well established in the US and around most parts of the world, but here in the UK I sense that the brand did not get off to a great start. You don't see many around.
Personally, I am a contrary person and the very fact that most people seem to ignore them , makes me more interested in the brand !
Considering the number of sheep that invariably end up with a VAG product, Infiniti surely offers a left-field choice.
Take the FX, for example. I could easily choose one of these over a Q5/Q7 or X3/X5, but not many people seem to make that choice. And the big saloon looks like a worthy alternative to an Audi A6.
So what is the story with Infiniti in the UK?
Is the dealer network too small or rubbish? Are not enough people getting to see the cars?
Perhaps we have someone who sells them here who can comment?
When I do see one, it turns heads. They seem well engineered, well made cars.
I'm interested on the thoughts of the PH collective, especially from people who are actually in the target market for these type of cars. Obviously comparisons with MX5's are rather pointless...
We all see the Red Bulls carrying their brand in F1.
They are well established in the US and around most parts of the world, but here in the UK I sense that the brand did not get off to a great start. You don't see many around.
Personally, I am a contrary person and the very fact that most people seem to ignore them , makes me more interested in the brand !
Considering the number of sheep that invariably end up with a VAG product, Infiniti surely offers a left-field choice.
Take the FX, for example. I could easily choose one of these over a Q5/Q7 or X3/X5, but not many people seem to make that choice. And the big saloon looks like a worthy alternative to an Audi A6.
So what is the story with Infiniti in the UK?
Is the dealer network too small or rubbish? Are not enough people getting to see the cars?
Perhaps we have someone who sells them here who can comment?
When I do see one, it turns heads. They seem well engineered, well made cars.
I'm interested on the thoughts of the PH collective, especially from people who are actually in the target market for these type of cars. Obviously comparisons with MX5's are rather pointless...
Big Fat Fatty said:
I wasn't sure Nissan ever offered the brand over here, I always thought they were were for the US market only.?
Well that sums it up really !Truth is, they are available over here. There IS a dealer network. Only they appear to have a marketing strategy that involves a cloak of invisibility.
Seriously, you'll find the dealer network there on Autotrader..
Edited to add - here is their UK website: http://www.infiniti.co.uk
Seriously, some of these cars must be a more interesting alternative to an Audi A4/A6...
Edited by toppstuff on Friday 19th April 10:35
Just looked at the SMMT site and it turns out that Infiniti have registered just 104 cars in 2013 to March.
In the same period, Maserati registered 52. Aston Martin 140. Audi over 25,000.
Nice cars. Rubbish marketing.
If more people got to see them I am sure they would sell pretty well.
In the same period, Maserati registered 52. Aston Martin 140. Audi over 25,000.
Nice cars. Rubbish marketing.
If more people got to see them I am sure they would sell pretty well.
I've always liked the brand since nobody really 'gets' them.
However, I took a good look around the cars at the Geneva show this year, and I was underwhelmed. I found the cars to look classy (if a little bland) in the flesh, and I really didn't like some of the interior materials. The interior design wasn't great either, although there were some quality touches (dials looked great, and the seats were supremely soft).
For the prices they charge in the UK, I would expect better. You can buy an XF 3.0D S Portfolio for the same money, or a BMW 535i/535d or Mercedes E350/350 CDi for considerably less in the UK IIRC.
However, I took a good look around the cars at the Geneva show this year, and I was underwhelmed. I found the cars to look classy (if a little bland) in the flesh, and I really didn't like some of the interior materials. The interior design wasn't great either, although there were some quality touches (dials looked great, and the seats were supremely soft).
For the prices they charge in the UK, I would expect better. You can buy an XF 3.0D S Portfolio for the same money, or a BMW 535i/535d or Mercedes E350/350 CDi for considerably less in the UK IIRC.
I regularly see a white 4x4 one. It's a very nice car and a I've seen a saloon once, which looked quite a bit like a BMW 7 series that melted in the sun.
I was under the impression they don't sell any over here with a Diesel engine which is why they didn't sell well, and a lack of dealers. IDE have the 4x4 but threre are better big cars for sale
I was under the impression they don't sell any over here with a Diesel engine which is why they didn't sell well, and a lack of dealers. IDE have the 4x4 but threre are better big cars for sale
The Crack Fox said:
Look at Lexus, it took them a long time to get their foot in the door, and they're still small-fry compared to (say) VW group stuff.
Lexus handled their launch very well in the UK. They came in with one model, at a time where all the major competitors (Mercedes, BMW, Jaguar) had offerings at the end of their life cycle, and waged an aggressive campaign getting the motoring press to point out how much better the LS400 was in headline, front-page group tests.(No great surprise when you throw all the engineering you've got into a car and put it up against a bunch of 5-year-old designs, or decade-old designs with a 5-year-old facelift in the case of the Merc.)
Infiniti on the other hand have run sporadic and ill-unified soft launches across multiple segments, with products that while nonetheless decent are only about mid-table compared to the competition, and never manage press coverage beyond so-so reviews in one or two magazines buried somewhere around page 56. Particularly, they haven't managed to generate the kind of mythos Lexus did around the original LS400 - the "it had to have a special starter switch because owners forgot the engine was running" and "you can stand a coin on the rocker cover at maximum revs*" kind of stories that invariably got used in review copy.
* - a similar statement also used by BMW for advertising the V12 7 series. It's actually possible on any reasonably smooth engine with a flat surface somewhere on top; you can do the "stand a coin on its edge" trick on something as humble as a V6 Omega.
I don't think they have a brand identity and the styling is bland.
Kia have made a huge effort so everyone now knows what one is and what to expect.
What is an Infiniti?
Don't really care and just because Americans buy them doesn't really make it desirable as they love buying "imports".
I understand what a Lexus is but have never wanted one so the In finiti falls well below that.
Kia have made a huge effort so everyone now knows what one is and what to expect.
What is an Infiniti?
Don't really care and just because Americans buy them doesn't really make it desirable as they love buying "imports".
I understand what a Lexus is but have never wanted one so the In finiti falls well below that.
5678 said:
Expensive and also depreciate like a stone!
I really wanted to buy an FX. But at £50k and a 3yr residual of under 15k it was suicide!
Fantastic value 2nd hand by comparison though!I really wanted to buy an FX. But at £50k and a 3yr residual of under 15k it was suicide!
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/i...
I've been up to Infiniti Reading a few times (help with the finance / leasing side) and I adore the FX. The G-Class Saloons/ Coupes are getting a major update shortly, I don't think they've sold that well. The M-Hybrids have done pretty well though.
I love the FX - it's just a different kind of 4x4.
5l V8 may well be my next car. Nearest dealer is miles away through, which is a pain.
Stonking value second hand as well!
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/i...
5l V8 may well be my next car. Nearest dealer is miles away through, which is a pain.
Stonking value second hand as well!
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/i...
I owned one, a FX35 (in the US)
Same engine family as the 350z, goes quite well the seats were the softest leather I have ever experienced and it has a clever onboard camera that goes beyond the "reversing camera" idea, they have cameras mounted on the bottom on the side mirrors for a combined view that saves you kerbing the wheels.
They share quite a few parts with the Murano but a lot smoother ride, not a sporty ride though quite soft and well damped.
Interior space is OK, not a huge amount of room in the back seats and the boot is a little compromised due to the pseudo coupe styling but up front is a very nice place to be
Would definitely recommend one though as the build quality is good and it felt pretty bullet proof in the 2 years I owned it, i also like the individuality of the looks.
Same engine family as the 350z, goes quite well the seats were the softest leather I have ever experienced and it has a clever onboard camera that goes beyond the "reversing camera" idea, they have cameras mounted on the bottom on the side mirrors for a combined view that saves you kerbing the wheels.
They share quite a few parts with the Murano but a lot smoother ride, not a sporty ride though quite soft and well damped.
Interior space is OK, not a huge amount of room in the back seats and the boot is a little compromised due to the pseudo coupe styling but up front is a very nice place to be
Would definitely recommend one though as the build quality is good and it felt pretty bullet proof in the 2 years I owned it, i also like the individuality of the looks.
Overlooked, but not I think unfairly. Very expensive for a car with no brand recognition (and after all, if you're spending large sums of money it's nice to think it won't be mistaken for something cheap from China!), and with very few dealers even if you did want one.
I pass the dealer in Reading from time to time - they seem to have more used cars from other brands on the forecourt than Infinitis...
I pass the dealer in Reading from time to time - they seem to have more used cars from other brands on the forecourt than Infinitis...
toppstuff said:
Infiniti is a big brand globally.
We all see the Red Bulls carrying their brand in F1.
They are well established in the US and around most parts of the world, but here in the UK I sense that the brand did not get off to a great start. You don't see many around.
Personally, I am a contrary person and the very fact that most people seem to ignore them , makes me more interested in the brand !
Considering the number of sheep that invariably end up with a VAG product, Infiniti surely offers a left-field choice.
Take the FX, for example. I could easily choose one of these over a Q5/Q7 or X3/X5, but not many people seem to make that choice. And the big saloon looks like a worthy alternative to an Audi A6.
So what is the story with Infiniti in the UK?
Is the dealer network too small or rubbish? Are not enough people getting to see the cars?
Perhaps we have someone who sells them here who can comment?
When I do see one, it turns heads. They seem well engineered, well made cars.
I'm interested on the thoughts of the PH collective, especially from people who are actually in the target market for these type of cars. Obviously comparisons with MX5's are rather pointless...
To be honest toppstuff - i often take a liking to stuff that others hate - simply because others hate them because i have a very contrary nature too.We all see the Red Bulls carrying their brand in F1.
They are well established in the US and around most parts of the world, but here in the UK I sense that the brand did not get off to a great start. You don't see many around.
Personally, I am a contrary person and the very fact that most people seem to ignore them , makes me more interested in the brand !
Considering the number of sheep that invariably end up with a VAG product, Infiniti surely offers a left-field choice.
Take the FX, for example. I could easily choose one of these over a Q5/Q7 or X3/X5, but not many people seem to make that choice. And the big saloon looks like a worthy alternative to an Audi A6.
So what is the story with Infiniti in the UK?
Is the dealer network too small or rubbish? Are not enough people getting to see the cars?
Perhaps we have someone who sells them here who can comment?
When I do see one, it turns heads. They seem well engineered, well made cars.
I'm interested on the thoughts of the PH collective, especially from people who are actually in the target market for these type of cars. Obviously comparisons with MX5's are rather pointless...
For example i have a bit of a soft spot for the old Datsun Stanzas - inspite of the unarguable fact that they are a heap of s
t. I hated the Stanza when my parents had one - although crappy as Stanzas were - that had much to do with the fact that been the main family car - every day there was a Stanza in the garage meant one day longer to wait for a brand new 1989 Fiat Tipo or whatever car was my favourite bew car at the time.But with infiniti - much like the Stanza - Nissan blew an opportunity to deliver to market a top class product. Look at Lexus - along with Infiniti the two brands were intended to represent Toyota and Nissan in the higher end of the market - where branding is everything.
Lexus did a good job with cars like the LS 400 but Infiniti - to me - are representative of averageness - they should have imo - have driven on and delivered the very best cars to market and take on BMW and co.
But to my mind they haven't done this - and did i hear something about them using Mercedes platforms on at least one of their upcoming models - or was i just dreaming when i heard that.
If true - that to me is almost like an admission of failure - why would you buy a Mercedes platform with an Infiniti frock - when you can go to Mercedes to buy a Mercedes with the Mercedes Platform.
They strike me as been an incrediably lazy manufacturer - if you think of a student that just barely does enough work to pass their course and if you imagine project work from a student with that mindset - then i think that sums up Infiniti to me.
So the answer to the question - well its no
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