Infiniti Q50 thread
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No....I posted earlier what this is about
As an update Cali has some cars, haven't seen any so far down in the SouthEast. There is a complete stop sale so far on the Q50. There was a call today and there will be a full national sales call on Monday to hopefully inform dealers when the car can be sold. So far its late July/August 2nd is what I'm hearing.
Also if you are unaware, there is a video for the Q50 being shown at movie theaters. I really have not seen a launch like this, really odd but maybe they are on to something.
Again these arguments don't make much sense since CLEARLY they changed the name since they DO BELIEVE NAME MATTERS. Otherwise they would have left it alone.
As an update Cali has some cars, haven't seen any so far down in the SouthEast. There is a complete stop sale so far on the Q50. There was a call today and there will be a full national sales call on Monday to hopefully inform dealers when the car can be sold. So far its late July/August 2nd is what I'm hearing.
Also if you are unaware, there is a video for the Q50 being shown at movie theaters. I really have not seen a launch like this, really odd but maybe they are on to something.
That's true up to a point. Really, a name is only as good as the product it's attached to. But the thing with luxury makes is that they all go with numerical/alphabetical designations. Not names. People don't get attached to figures the way they do to figurative or abstract words. For example, Ford would never in a million years consider changing the Mustang to the Stallion. People have emotional and heritage connections to that name. Camaro, Firebird, Corvette. Those are names that mean something to the man on the street.
Now 750il? 500SEL? A6? That's a much more intellectual designation and while there's a good amount of equity in those designations they really don't mean anything to anyone. People will associate those labels to a particular brand and that brand must have value to the customer. Most people wouldn't even say they drive a 500SEL. They'd simply say I drive a Mercedes. And most people wouldn't know or care what you're talking about if you told them you drove an XYZ250il Sport.
Infiniti need to work on its brand image overall so that whatever the numerical designation of the car it means something good because the brand has value. I know lots have been made over this nomenclature Infiniti is going to but I wager to say that if the car is any good no one will care after 6 months, maybe even less.
Now 750il? 500SEL? A6? That's a much more intellectual designation and while there's a good amount of equity in those designations they really don't mean anything to anyone. People will associate those labels to a particular brand and that brand must have value to the customer. Most people wouldn't even say they drive a 500SEL. They'd simply say I drive a Mercedes. And most people wouldn't know or care what you're talking about if you told them you drove an XYZ250il Sport.
Infiniti need to work on its brand image overall so that whatever the numerical designation of the car it means something good because the brand has value. I know lots have been made over this nomenclature Infiniti is going to but I wager to say that if the car is any good no one will care after 6 months, maybe even less.
Excellent post 
There's a reason why every single luxury brand uses the alphabet soup game to name their vehicles instead of actual names. The strategy behind this is that so buyers will invest in the brand, not necessary the particular model they may be interested in. When a certain model overshadows the rest of the brand, it could become a problem. By naming everything starting with the letter "Q", it creates a level playing field in the mind of the buyer. It quells any attachment to the particular vehicle name, yet stimulates interest in the brand itself - in this case, Infiniti.
For anyone to make such a blanket statement that naming and branding is "everything" in business is simply not looking at the big picture. Reputation and quality need to be there as well. For the Camry to change its name to the Leroy would of course be a disaster. But changing a G37 to a Q50? not so much. Even as popular as the G is and has been for the past 10 years.
There's a reason why every single luxury brand uses the alphabet soup game to name their vehicles instead of actual names. The strategy behind this is that so buyers will invest in the brand, not necessary the particular model they may be interested in. When a certain model overshadows the rest of the brand, it could become a problem. By naming everything starting with the letter "Q", it creates a level playing field in the mind of the buyer. It quells any attachment to the particular vehicle name, yet stimulates interest in the brand itself - in this case, Infiniti.
For anyone to make such a blanket statement that naming and branding is "everything" in business is simply not looking at the big picture. Reputation and quality need to be there as well. For the Camry to change its name to the Leroy would of course be a disaster. But changing a G37 to a Q50? not so much. Even as popular as the G is and has been for the past 10 years.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Apr 2005
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From: MO
No....I posted earlier what this is about
As an update Cali has some cars, haven't seen any so far down in the SouthEast. There is a complete stop sale so far on the Q50. There was a call today and there will be a full national sales call on Monday to hopefully inform dealers when the car can be sold. So far its late July/August 2nd is what I'm hearing.
Also if you are unaware, there is a video for the Q50 being shown at movie theaters. I really have not seen a launch like this, really odd but maybe they are on to something.
Again these arguments don't make much sense since CLEARLY they changed the name since they DO BELIEVE NAME MATTERS. Otherwise they would have left it alone.
As an update Cali has some cars, haven't seen any so far down in the SouthEast. There is a complete stop sale so far on the Q50. There was a call today and there will be a full national sales call on Monday to hopefully inform dealers when the car can be sold. So far its late July/August 2nd is what I'm hearing.
Also if you are unaware, there is a video for the Q50 being shown at movie theaters. I really have not seen a launch like this, really odd but maybe they are on to something.
Again these arguments don't make much sense since CLEARLY they changed the name since they DO BELIEVE NAME MATTERS. Otherwise they would have left it alone.
Lexus Fanatic
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Well, they didn't just change the name. They changed the name structure for the brand. I'm not privy to the reasoning but obviously they felt that the designation strategy either didn't work as it is or doesn't allow for much in the way of expansion. I always though that each vehicle having its own alphabetical designation (G series, M series, Q, EX, FX) was somewhat limiting. There are only so many that actually sound good. Infiniti P series? How about K? What about T? Oh well, let's try O. No? well here's one... Let's go with B. They've already pretty much used all the good sounding letters. But if they plan to expand their range, which is what the new boss says will happen that old strategy doesn't work. Now everything is either a Q or QX with a number behind it.
Lexus Champion
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From: MO
The thing I think we may not be appreciating here is that Infiniti is broken and has been for many many years. The new boss was brought on to fix it. That may include the entire brand structure in which case drastic changes have to be made. Sometimes that can be jarring but necessary.
Lexus Champion
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From: Illinois
What's so hard to understand about it? In most cases simpler is better.
The thing I think we may not be appreciating here is that Infiniti is broken and has been for many many years. The new boss was brought on to fix it. That may include the entire brand structure in which case drastic changes have to be made. Sometimes that can be jarring but necessary.
The thing I think we may not be appreciating here is that Infiniti is broken and has been for many many years. The new boss was brought on to fix it. That may include the entire brand structure in which case drastic changes have to be made. Sometimes that can be jarring but necessary.
i think changing to Qxx is a smart move given that they're a tiny player now anyway, and this makes it a VERY focused branding. we're all about 'Q', pick your flavor/size. 
i think this decision has a solid finality about it - we're done, it's Q forever, no more thinking about M's and J's and G's and worries over international interpretations of model numbers, etc.
i think this decision has a solid finality about it - we're done, it's Q forever, no more thinking about M's and J's and G's and worries over international interpretations of model numbers, etc.
Forgetting the naming scheme for a moment. The Q50's accolades at least on paper seem strong and right in the thick of it with A, C, 3, IS, ATS. Imagine if a smaller turbo 4 option were available, sales and leases might sky rocket. As it stands Infiniti has been so mum about Q50 advertising that this name change will be pointless if no one knows what it is or that it exisits. If Ghosen and them were smart they'd take advantage of the redeisgn. As of right now though, no reviews or comparison tests, commericals no nothing. Out the gate it's already getting pushed to the back. You can bet the upcoming Jaguar XS (3-series fighting sedan) will have excellent marketing based on their successful "Playing Jaguars" and "F-Type" advertising. Infiniti step it up.
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Forgetting the naming scheme for a moment. The Q50's accolades at least on paper seem strong and right in the thick of it with A, C, 3, IS, ATS. Imagine if a smaller turbo 4 option were available, sales and leases might sky rocket. As it stands Infiniti has been so mum about Q50 advertising that this name change will be pointless if no one knows what it is or that it exisits. If Ghosen and them were smart they'd take advantage of the redeisgn. As of right now though, no reviews or comparison tests, commericals no nothing. Out the gate it's already getting pushed to the back. You can bet the upcoming Jaguar XS (3-series fighting sedan) will have excellent marketing based on their successful "Playing Jaguars" and "F-Type" advertising. Infiniti step it up.
I wonder why arent there any reviews/previews already? Seems like they are hiding something.
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Well, they didn't just change the name. They changed the name structure for the brand. I'm not privy to the reasoning but obviously they felt that the designation strategy either didn't work as it is or doesn't allow for much in the way of expansion. I always though that each vehicle having its own alphabetical designation (G series, M series, Q, EX, FX) was somewhat limiting. There are only so many that actually sound good. Infiniti P series? How about K? What about T? Oh well, let's try O. No? well here's one... Let's go with B. They've already pretty much used all the good sounding letters. But if they plan to expand their range, which is what the new boss says will happen that old strategy doesn't work. Now everything is either a Q or QX with a number behind it.
I can only speculate, but part of the dely might be the software/tech issues.
Lexus Fanatic
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Jag has huge heritage/history behind it... i have no idea how come they sell so little cars.... i am sure, it is going up all the time, but still, it is way too low right now.
Lead Lap
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From: Washington
1) No SUV of any sort
2) Cheapeast vehicle starts at $46,975
3) 1/2 half of the model lineup has 2 doors
4) Just now offering AWD on sedans
Not a recipe for blistering sales. They'll fix it with time, although I do think Jaguar will always position itself as a boutique automaker, along with its complement company Land Rover.
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From: MO
So in essence what you are saying is myself and others were correct all these years and all that arguing by people coming here all mad was for nothing and now they agree the name change is good.
American Gangster (4/11) Movie CLIP - Diluting the Brand (2007) HD - YouTube
American Gangster (4/11) Movie CLIP - Diluting the Brand (2007) HD - YouTube
If Infiniti were a football team which had good players but never made it to the playoffs then you hire a new coach, who in turn fires all the old guys, brings in a new staff and shakes things up. People aren't gonna like it. It may even alienate some fans but it has to be done to make the team a winner.
Last edited by speedflex; Jul 6, 2013 at 07:36 PM.
We'll just have to wait and see at this point. Infiniti wasn't making much of a splash with their current line up, but perhaps making the non-G models more competitive would've been a better move. Instead, they're giving away a lot of the goodwill they had earned with the G and hoping that their main customers will be willing to make a move to the Q50. I wouldn't be surprised if a decent number of casual car buyers have to be talked into visiting an Infiniti dealership because 'the G got discontinued'
Last note, why the hell go with Q, a moniker that has already failed the brand? I understand that the alphabet soup that the manufacturers have been using makes it difficult to find a letter that hasn't been used by both a car or SUV, but reusing Q? Come on now.
Last note, why the hell go with Q, a moniker that has already failed the brand? I understand that the alphabet soup that the manufacturers have been using makes it difficult to find a letter that hasn't been used by both a car or SUV, but reusing Q? Come on now.
It's not that hard to figure out.
1) No SUV of any sort
2) Cheapeast vehicle starts at $46,975
3) 1/2 half of the model lineup has 2 doors
4) Just now offering AWD on sedans
Not a recipe for blistering sales. They'll fix it with time, although I do think Jaguar will always position itself as a boutique automaker, along with its complement company Land Rover.
1) No SUV of any sort
2) Cheapeast vehicle starts at $46,975
3) 1/2 half of the model lineup has 2 doors
4) Just now offering AWD on sedans
Not a recipe for blistering sales. They'll fix it with time, although I do think Jaguar will always position itself as a boutique automaker, along with its complement company Land Rover.