Infiniti/Acura following Lexus lead/Renault to build Infiniti engine
03-07-06, 07:58 PM
#1
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Posts: n/a
Infiniti/Acura following Lexus lead/Renault to build Infiniti engine
Lexus seperates totally from Toyota. Acura to begin that process
http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dl...024/LATESTNEWS
Acura gets product team; move in part to build stronger brand identity
By JAMES B. TREECE | AUTOMOTIVE NEWS
AutoWeek | Published 03/01/06, 7:07 am et
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TOKYO -- Honda Motor Co. is separating its Honda and Acura product-development teams.
The separation is designed in part to develop a stronger identity for Acura vehicles.
The move comes as part of a broad reorganization of Honda R&D Co., the parent company's research and product-development arm. It historically has been a training ground for future Honda CEOs.
Until now, Honda R&D's three technical centers in Japan operated with varying degrees of autonomy and overlap. Each had its own management oversight.
Starting April 1, Honda will set up five separate r&d organizations based on areas of expertise. The five will be for automobiles, motorcycles, power products, airplane engines and basic technology. Each will have its own management and administration.
Automobile development will be split between the technology centers in Tochigi and Wako, Japan.
http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dl...024/LATESTNEWS
Acura gets product team; move in part to build stronger brand identity
By JAMES B. TREECE | AUTOMOTIVE NEWS
AutoWeek | Published 03/01/06, 7:07 am et
Advertisement
Click Here!
TOKYO -- Honda Motor Co. is separating its Honda and Acura product-development teams.
The separation is designed in part to develop a stronger identity for Acura vehicles.
The move comes as part of a broad reorganization of Honda R&D Co., the parent company's research and product-development arm. It historically has been a training ground for future Honda CEOs.
Until now, Honda R&D's three technical centers in Japan operated with varying degrees of autonomy and overlap. Each had its own management oversight.
Starting April 1, Honda will set up five separate r&d organizations based on areas of expertise. The five will be for automobiles, motorcycles, power products, airplane engines and basic technology. Each will have its own management and administration.
Automobile development will be split between the technology centers in Tochigi and Wako, Japan.
03-07-06, 08:02 PM
#2
Guest
Posts: n/a
Infiniti going to enter Europe not till after 2008, basically 20 years after Lexus.
Also entering Russia, which is Lexus 2nd biggest market outside the United States.
Also Infintii will become a brand in Japan.
Renault will build Infiniti Diesal (lol)
Infiniti launch strategy for western Europe « » 6:21 PM 3-7-2006 Reply to this post
MARSEILLES, France – Nissan is considering two different ways to launch its Infiniti luxury brand in western Europe.
“The question is, should we go very slowly and progressively, starting only with a few large cities, or should we go in one big swoop in all affluent areas of Europe?” said Scott Vazin, a Nissan Europe spokesman. “We are looking at both scenarios.”
If Nissan chooses to introduce Infiniti in selected cities first, the approach would resemble the way General Motors has launched the Cadillac and Corvette luxury brands in Europe. GM is opening 25 experience centers for the models in key European cities such as London.
The Infiniti brand is not likely to come to western Europe before 2008.
“It won’t be before the end of Nissan Value Up,” Vazin said. Value Up, Nissan’s three-year business plan, ends March 31, 2008.
No sharing
One thing Infiniti promises it won’t do is combine Nissan and Infiniti dealers. Nissan does not want to repeat the mistake it made in Mexico, where Infiniti models were sold and serviced by Nissan dealers.
Steve Wilhite, Nissan’s senior vice president of global marketing, told Automotive News Europe that Infiniti customers in Mexico were not getting the full luxury experience.
“In Europe and other countries around the world where we plan to introduce Infiniti, we have to build a Tier 1 luxury brand,” Wilhite said. “We have to invest in a proper dealer infrastructure with proper training for sales people and technicians.”
That means Infiniti dealerships staffed with employees who are specifically trained to sell and service Infiniti models.
Nissan launched Infiniti in the US in 1989. Infiniti also has been introduced in South Korea, Mexico, Taiwan and the Middle East. The brand will be launched in Japan by the end of March, 2008.
Diesel needed
Nissan not only needs to recruit exclusive dealers for Infiniti, but it also needs a V-6 diesel for Europe, where diesel models account for 50 percent of new-car sales.
Renault, which has a 44 percent stake in Nissan, is in charge of developing diesel engines for Infiniti, but a spokesman for the French brand says no date has been set for the engine’s launch. Renault currently uses an Isuzu-sourced V-6 diesel in its large cars.
Nissan is getting ready to launch Infiniti in Russia this summer.
The carmaker has three exclusive dealerships – two in Moscow and one in St. Petersburg – that will sell the Infiniti G and M sedans as well as the FX SUV, said Pierre Loing, Nissan Europe’s product planning chief.
He said the transition from the US to Russia should not be too difficult. “In many ways the Russian car market is comparable to the US,” he said.
Nissan hopes to sell 5,000 Infinitis a year in Russia. Nissan’s Russian sales rose to 47,000 in 2005, compared with 28,000 in 2004. Nissan expects to sell at least 62,000 units in 2006, not including Infiniti models.
Also entering Russia, which is Lexus 2nd biggest market outside the United States.
Also Infintii will become a brand in Japan.
Renault will build Infiniti Diesal (lol)
Infiniti launch strategy for western Europe « » 6:21 PM 3-7-2006 Reply to this post
MARSEILLES, France – Nissan is considering two different ways to launch its Infiniti luxury brand in western Europe.
“The question is, should we go very slowly and progressively, starting only with a few large cities, or should we go in one big swoop in all affluent areas of Europe?” said Scott Vazin, a Nissan Europe spokesman. “We are looking at both scenarios.”
If Nissan chooses to introduce Infiniti in selected cities first, the approach would resemble the way General Motors has launched the Cadillac and Corvette luxury brands in Europe. GM is opening 25 experience centers for the models in key European cities such as London.
The Infiniti brand is not likely to come to western Europe before 2008.
“It won’t be before the end of Nissan Value Up,” Vazin said. Value Up, Nissan’s three-year business plan, ends March 31, 2008.
No sharing
One thing Infiniti promises it won’t do is combine Nissan and Infiniti dealers. Nissan does not want to repeat the mistake it made in Mexico, where Infiniti models were sold and serviced by Nissan dealers.
Steve Wilhite, Nissan’s senior vice president of global marketing, told Automotive News Europe that Infiniti customers in Mexico were not getting the full luxury experience.
“In Europe and other countries around the world where we plan to introduce Infiniti, we have to build a Tier 1 luxury brand,” Wilhite said. “We have to invest in a proper dealer infrastructure with proper training for sales people and technicians.”
That means Infiniti dealerships staffed with employees who are specifically trained to sell and service Infiniti models.
Nissan launched Infiniti in the US in 1989. Infiniti also has been introduced in South Korea, Mexico, Taiwan and the Middle East. The brand will be launched in Japan by the end of March, 2008.
Diesel needed
Nissan not only needs to recruit exclusive dealers for Infiniti, but it also needs a V-6 diesel for Europe, where diesel models account for 50 percent of new-car sales.
Renault, which has a 44 percent stake in Nissan, is in charge of developing diesel engines for Infiniti, but a spokesman for the French brand says no date has been set for the engine’s launch. Renault currently uses an Isuzu-sourced V-6 diesel in its large cars.
Nissan is getting ready to launch Infiniti in Russia this summer.
The carmaker has three exclusive dealerships – two in Moscow and one in St. Petersburg – that will sell the Infiniti G and M sedans as well as the FX SUV, said Pierre Loing, Nissan Europe’s product planning chief.
He said the transition from the US to Russia should not be too difficult. “In many ways the Russian car market is comparable to the US,” he said.
Nissan hopes to sell 5,000 Infinitis a year in Russia. Nissan’s Russian sales rose to 47,000 in 2005, compared with 28,000 in 2004. Nissan expects to sell at least 62,000 units in 2006, not including Infiniti models.
03-07-06, 11:06 PM
#5
Super Moderator
Originally Posted by 1SICKLEX
[I]
No sharing
One thing Infiniti promises it won’t do is combine Nissan and Infiniti dealers. Nissan does not want to repeat the mistake it made in Mexico, where Infiniti models were sold and serviced by Nissan dealers.
Steve Wilhite, Nissan’s senior vice president of global marketing, told Automotive News Europe that Infiniti customers in Mexico were not getting the full luxury experience.
No sharing
One thing Infiniti promises it won’t do is combine Nissan and Infiniti dealers. Nissan does not want to repeat the mistake it made in Mexico, where Infiniti models were sold and serviced by Nissan dealers.
Steve Wilhite, Nissan’s senior vice president of global marketing, told Automotive News Europe that Infiniti customers in Mexico were not getting the full luxury experience.
Acura is separate from Honda here, and I hope that Lexus will be, too, though from my understanding in some Central American countries this is combined, though I have not heard of any problems.
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