The Infiniti Historical Timeline (from NissanNews) ... Interesting!

[szh]

To-date.

June 2005. M45 Sport wins 3-car comparison test in Road & Track.

May 2005. Infiniti announces new Retail Environment Design Initiative (IREDI) to celebrate global launch of Infiniti vehicles.

May 2005. Lane Departure Warning (LDW) system wins Intelligent Transportation Society of America (ITS) Award, in new product and application category.

May 2005. FX winner of Strategic Vision’s Total Quality Award™ in near luxury SUV category.

May 2005. M45 receives first place ranking out of eight competitive mid-size luxury sport sedans in the May 2005 issue of Car and Driver.

April 2005. Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA) chooses M45 for “most innovative” writers choice award.

April 2005. Lane Departure Warning (LDW) system wins PACE award in innovation category.

March 2005. Infiniti sets individual monthly sales record of 13,583 units sold.

January 2005. All-new, M luxury sedan debuts at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, also on stage is the Kuraza concept.

December 2004. Infiniti has sold 1,010,674 vehicles since its inception in 1989.

November 2004. Kiplinger’s personal finance magazine awards the 2005 G35 “Best in Class” for a third consecutive year. 2005 QX56 also awarded “Best new Large SUV” and 2005 FX “Best Mid-size SUV”.

November 2004. November 1st marks the 15th Anniversary of Infiniti as one of the premier luxury nameplates in North America.

August 2004. G35 Coupe, QX56, and FX crossover named to Auto World Magazine’s “50 Best Picks” for 2004.

July 2004. G35 Coupe named AutoWeek Magazine’s “Best Sports Coupe” for 2004.

May 2004. Infiniti launch plans for South Korean market unveiled.

April 2004. M45 Concept debuts at New York International Auto Show. Infiniti global expansion announced.

March 2004. Infiniti announces Lane Departure Warning System technology for 2005 FX.

February 2004. 2004 QX56 goes on sale.

January 2004. All-new, QX56 full-size luxury SUV debuts at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, also on stage is the G35x. Infiniti CYo3 sales reach 118,655 units sold.

November 2003. G35 Sedan AWD model, badged G35x, goes on sale. Infiniti CY sales top 100,000 units for the first time in history.

August 2003. Infiniti sets individual monthly sales record of 12,988 units sold.

July 2003. Infiniti ranked highest in JD Power and Associates 2003 Customer Service Index™ (CSI) study for the third time.

June 2003. Strategic Vision, Inc. announces that the G35 won their "2003 Total Quality Awards™" in the near luxury car category.

March 2003. G35 Sedan was awarded the AAA Auto Guide award in the $25,000 – $30,000 category.

February 2003. Money Magazine named the G35 Sport Sedan “Best Sport Sedan.”

February 2003. Automobile Magazine’s Readers’ All-Stars voted the G35 Sport Sedan, “Best Luxury Car under $40,000” and the G35 Sport Coupe was named “Best Coupe”, as well as a “2003 All-star.”

January 2003. G35 Sport Sedan and Sport Coupe are named to the Car and Driver’s “Ten Best Cars” list.

January 2003. Production model Infiniti FX45 premium crossover SUV debuts at North American International Auto Show in Detroit and goes on sale later in the month. Triant concept vehicle also debuts at NAIAS.

December 2002. Infiniti Division cumulative sales surpass 750,000 units.

December 2002. Infiniti reports best month and overall year in division’s history. Total sales for 2002 totaled more than 87,000 units.

December 2002. Kiplinger's Personal Finance named G35 Sport Sedan "Best in Class" and "Best New Car" ($23,000-$30,000). Also named M45 "Best New Car” ($40,000 and under).

November 2002. G35 Sport Coupe model is launched. Both the G35 Sport Coupe and Sport Sedan receive the prestigious 2003 Motor Trend Car of the Year award.

October 2002. All-new M45 performance sport sedan, featuring a 340-horesepower 4.5-liter V8, a goes on sale.

March 2002. Infiniti launches the all-new 260-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 G35 Sport Sedan.

January 2002. G35 Sport Sedan and second generation FX45 Concept debut at North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

September 2001. 2002 I35 goes on sale.

April 2001. 2002 I35 debuts at New York Auto Show.

March 2001. All-new third generation Q45 goes on sale as a 2002 model.

January 2001. FX45 Concept debuts at North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

September 2000. The 227-horsepower V6 I30 goes on sale as a 2001 model. The new model features the industry exclusive Birdview? Navigation System.

April 2000. Third generation Q45 debuts at New York Auto Show.

February 2000. IntelliChoice votes QX4 “A Best Overall Value – Intermediate Utility” for second year in a row.

January 2000. 2001 QX4 and Infiniti XVL Concept debut at North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

December 1999. Infiniti Division sales surpass a half million units.

November 1999. Infiniti celebrates 10th Anniversary.

September 1999. 2000 I30 goes on sale.

May 1999. I30 ranked as “Best Entry Luxury Car” in J.D. Power and Associates 1999 Initial Quality Study.

March 1999. Redesigned 2000 I30 debuts at the 1999 New York Auto Show.

February 1999. IntelliChoice votes QX4 “A Best Overall Value - Intermediate Utility,” G20 and G20t “A Best Overall Value - Compact Sedan Over $15,000.”

January 1999. Ward's Auto World announces that the I30 engine is “One of the Top Ten Engines” for the fifth time; Infiniti launches the “Infiniti Owners Club,” an addition to the Total Ownership Experience®.

November 1998. Infiniti announces a national co-promotion of Infiniti's IRL Participation, Motor Trend's 50th Anniversary and CBR Cobb Racing Sponsorship. Kiplinger's Personal Finance votes 1999 I30 “Best In Class, $25,000 - $35,000.”

June 1998. QX4 ties with the Lincoln Navigator for “Best Luxury Sport Utility Vehicle” in J.D. Power and Associates 1998 Initial Quality Study.

April 1998. 1999 G20 luxury sports sedan is introduced at the 1999 New York Auto Show.

January 1998. Infiniti closes 1997 calendar year with the highest single-year sales in division history; Ward's Auto World announces that the I30 engine is “One of the Top Ten Engines” for the fourth time.

April 1997. Infiniti I30 ranked “Best in Class” for the entry luxury vehicle segment, Infiniti QX4 named as “Best in Class” in the J.D. Power and Associates 1997 Initial Quality Study.

January 1997. Ward's Auto World announces that the I30's engine is “One of the Top Ten Engines;” Infiniti competes in first official IRL race as an engine supplier.

November 1996. 1997 QX4 luxury sport utility vehicle goes on sale and Automotive News names QX4 “One of Ten Cool Engineering Things.”

September 1996. Infiniti Division sales surpass 300,000 units.

July 1996. J.D. Power and Associates announces that Infiniti is #1 in “Customer Satisfaction Index.”

July 1996. IntelliChoice announces that J30 and I30 offer "Lowest Maintenance Costs in Class."

February 1996. Infiniti announces plans to compete as an engine supplier in the Indy Racing League (IRL).

December 1995. Kiplinger's Personal Finance announces that I30 ranked “Best New Car, $25,000 – $35,000.”

May 1995. J.D. Power and Associates announces that Infiniti ranked “Best Overall Carline in Initial Quality” and J30 ranked “Best Model in the $29,000 and over price class in Initial Quality.”

April 1995. 1996 I30 goes on sale.

November 1994. Infiniti celebrates fifth anniversary and sales surpass 200,000 units sold in first five years.

August 1994. New Infiniti I30 luxury sedan announced.

January 1994. Annual sales surpass 50,000 units.

November 1993. Infiniti is named “Best Overall Carline” by J.D. Power and Associates Sales Satisfaction Index (SSI).

April 1993. 1994 Q45 unveiled at the New York Auto Show; 1993.5 G20 and 1994 Q45 go on sale.

February 1993. G20 named as IntelliChoice Inc. “Best Overall Import Car Value Over $13,000” and “Best Value in Compact Class Over $16,000.”

July 1992. J.D. Power and Associates announces that Infiniti wins first place in “Initial Quality Study.”

March 1992. 1993 J30 goes on sale.

January 1992. J30 unveiled in the United Sates at the Los Angeles and Detroit Auto Shows.

July 1991. J.D. Power and Associates announces that Infiniti ties for first place in “Customer Satisfaction Index.”

December 1990. Q45 named to Road & Track magazine's “10 Best” list. September 1990. 1991 G20 goes on sale

April 1990. World leader Full-Active Suspension™ unveiled at New York Auto Show; first public viewing of the G20.

Launch

November 1989. Infiniti Division launches with 51 dealers; 1990 Q45 and M30 go on sale. Pre-Launch

September 1989. Infiniti training renamed Infiniti University. First Infiniti University Launch Training class graduates.

August 1989. G20 unveiled to dealers at New York Auto Show

January 1989. Q45/M30 introduced to the public at the Detroit and Los Angeles Auto Shows.

November 1988. Q45/M30 introduced at dealer meeting at Four Seasons Hotel in Newport Beach, California.

January 1988. First Dealer, Ken Ellegard, Discover Infiniti, signs Infiniti letter of intent.

September 1987. Three Infiniti Regional offices established – East (Edison, NJ), Central (Naperville, IL), and West (Irvine, CA).

August 1987. Idea of the “Total Ownership Experience” (TOE) is developed. The TOE is a philosophy Infiniti abides by to create quality products, provide outstanding service and make Infiniti ownership a pleasant experience.

July 1987. The name “Infiniti” is selected for the new division.

December 1986. Development of the Q45 begins.

November 1986. Decision made to proceed with formation of luxury division.

November 1985. “Horizon” Task Force formed to study luxury franchise market opportunity.

[szh]

Some interesting things:

1. I had not realized that the Q45 and M30 launched together on the first day in November 1989!

2. I wonder if the first dealer to sign up (Discover Infiniti) is still around. Anyone know?

3. It was three years from development to launch of the Q45. That is very quick in new car product development years!

Z

[Jesda]

Same one?http://www.discoverinfiniti.com/

[szh]

Same one?

I have no idea! Anyone else know?

Z

[jamied311]

interesting!

[driverdriver]

That's an informative post.

[szh]

That's an informative post.

Good! Glad you like the info too!

Z

[elwesso]

Thanks for posting this, Z!!!!! Goodstuff (used without permission )

[szh]

Goodstuff (used without permission )

No problem! I have not yet registered that trademark! That it why it is Good Stuff™, not Good Stuff®!

Z

[elwesso]

No problem! I have not yet registered that trademark! That it why it is Good Stuff™, not Good Stuff®!

Z

[szh]

I was just kidding, of course!

The info is Golden too, right?

Z

[maxnix]

A little dated, but still good.

Shows why a FY33 is different from a Y33, for instance.

[szh]

A little dated, but still good.

Shows why a FY33 is different from a Y33, for instance.

That is very nice and informative too! We have to find an updated one!

Z

[Rex]

That is very nice and informative too! We have to find an updated one!

Z

Z - Enjoy

http://www.nissan-global.com/EN/IR/LIBRARY/FF/

[szh]

Z - Enjoy

http://www.nissan-global.com/EN/IR/LIBRARY/FF/

Very nice! Thanks, Keith!

Z