Infiniti must be desperate !!!
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Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 750
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From: USA
Palmer: Nissan Considered Killing Infiniti
Jan. 23, 2013
Christie Schweinsberg | WardsAuto
DETROIT – In nearly 24 years of existence, the Infiniti luxury brand has been less than a stellar performer.
Parent Nissan had a volume-rules mentality when it came to Infiniti sales, says Nissan Executive Vice President Andy Palmer, and little attention was paid to developing the type of products that have made the German brands so desirable.
Results were predictably mediocre, and Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn considered killing the brand.
“Very frankly, very candidly, we don’t need Infiniti, we just don’t need that brand,” Palmer tells WardsAuto in an interview at the 2013 North American International Auto Show here. “Mr. Ghosn challenged me and said, ‘We don’t have to do Infiniti, you can cancel it if you want.’”
http://wardsauto.com/management-amp-...lling-infiniti
Jan. 23, 2013
Christie Schweinsberg | WardsAuto
DETROIT – In nearly 24 years of existence, the Infiniti luxury brand has been less than a stellar performer.
Parent Nissan had a volume-rules mentality when it came to Infiniti sales, says Nissan Executive Vice President Andy Palmer, and little attention was paid to developing the type of products that have made the German brands so desirable.
Results were predictably mediocre, and Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn considered killing the brand.
“Very frankly, very candidly, we don’t need Infiniti, we just don’t need that brand,” Palmer tells WardsAuto in an interview at the 2013 North American International Auto Show here. “Mr. Ghosn challenged me and said, ‘We don’t have to do Infiniti, you can cancel it if you want.’”
http://wardsauto.com/management-amp-...lling-infiniti
Thread Starter
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Sep 2007
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From: Waiting for next track day
I really loved my G35 when I had it and the streets were covered in them when they hit the market . Every gen after the first seems to sell less and be less appealing. WTF !? It should be the opposite. I had high hopes for the Q50 . I drive it and liked it but I guess the competition is too great.
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From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
The difference, though, is that this time, unlike the late 1990s and early 2000s, Nissan does seem to be making money, with or without Infiniti. The Altima, in particular, is a success. 15 years ago, when Ghosn started his famous cost-cutting, the situation was so drastic that both you and I agreed (if you remember) that what we saw on the Nissans (and some Infinitis) of that period was simply unacceptable.
I've had 2 nissans in my life, one before their almost bankruptcy, and the other model during their initial Ghosen years. Ill tell you first hand the second one was a cheap pos.....when the brakes in the back went bad, the dealership nor any local part stores could source the right parts. Finally we found the part in an oriellys. They were drum brakes and the manager at the dealership had the nerve to claim we upgraded to them.......upgraded to drum brakes.....moron. The parts inside were cheap as well, and their current lineup doesn't look any better.
I regularly drive someone's '11 g37 coupe. While it could be a bit quieter on the highway, and a trim door bit is showing a bit of wear I wouldn't have expected, the drivetrain and body integrity is awesome. The 7 speed auto is EXCELLENT in particular. The handling/comfort balance is excellent too.
Back to op post, never seen a Q50 around these parts... But that hotel trip deal is a typical gimmick done for many products, and travel, etc. and it's offered by a dealer, not corporate, so not some desperate move by the brand itself.
Last edited by bitkahuna; Jan 11, 2014 at 06:26 PM.