How many were there?

[maxnix]

I have always wondered how many G50 were sold, but before I successfully bid on a 2001 G50 press kit, I never knew.

Forthwith are the sales figures by year by model:

1989 1,1081990 13,9611991 14,7071992 12,3161993 12,4111994 11,4191995 7,8031996 5,896

TOTAL 79,621

This report dispels several myths.

One, the leaf, trees and lakes introductory advertising did not kill sales as more of the 1990 were sold than any other year.

Two, the later grilled G50, while more refined and more esthetically pleasing to some, couldn't recapture the sales of the earlier bullet nosed models. Was this because of the chain guide problem (largely unknown at this time) or the price point to which the G50 had risen?

1993 should probably have an asterisk since it was a short run, but as the sales are for calendar year by model (and not by model year sales), perhaps 1994 was the zenith, and not 1990.

Have similar figures for the J30 also if either Carlos or VimyJ is interested.

[AZhitman]

I like the exclusivity of being one of 7800.

Especially since I'm a LATE 95, almost 96.

[qship96]

I like being one of 5800!,and being the newest! keep in mind these figures are # of cars sold in each calender year, so many sold in 96 will be 95 models,and some 96 models will have sold in 97,etc-these figures are not the # of each model year built and sold

[maxnix]

Exactly, so there is some built in imprecison. For example, the M30, which I believe was discontinued in this market in 1992, shows sales of 151 units in 1993 and 5 units in 1994.

[Jesda]

Despite being dropped in 2002 (is that correct?), the Mazda Millenia managed to sell 5 units this year.

[greg_atlanta]

I think the dollar/yen exchange rates hurt sales towards the mid 90s. Price may have been over $60K??

[qship96]

I think the dollar/yen exchange rates hurt sales towards the mid 90s. Price may have been over $60K??

price had climbed to 54,000 base by 96 model year,expensive? yes,but the ls400 was priced similar and outsold the q by at least 3 to 1 by then-so I dont think price killed the sales,poor advertising-marketing,lack of focus on whether it was a true luxury car or a performance sedan{maybe tried too hard to cater to both and excelled at neither because of this},and the marketing success of Lexus made Infiniti a second teir brand behind the golden lexus image in the mind of the consumer-still holds true today,people dont value the new q like the ls430.

[Fastlane]

Take the value of the dollar in 96, and add in the inflation quotient and the price would be the equivalent of an A8 or a VW Phaeton.

I parked next to a Phaeton at a rest stop on my way to Moroso. It has a many similar qualities of the original Q, and the A8 Quattro from the side is practically a clone. Wouldn't it be nice if they made the original Q45 with the latest technology.-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------96Q45...... 15.8...@ 90.06 / 2000 Anniversary Q45......no runs yet.

[AZhitman]

I think the dollar/yen exchange rates hurt sales towards the mid 90s. Price may have been over $60K??

Mine stickered at $56,789 (mfr date of 7/95).

Purchaser pid $54,900 (CASH).

[mersidoe]

Can you post the J30 sales info too?

Thanks!

[maxnix]

Can you post the J30 sales info too?

Thanks!

I will, in a new thread.

[silver2k2]

Is there any information on colors by year

[Q45denver]

Would be interested to know sales outside of USA as well.

[maxnix]

Different models outside of US for the most part. Q45 was in JDM for only a few years, Canada, Australia, and Hong Kong were the only markets that reiceived a specific Q45 model of the G50.

Never have seen a by model or color breakdown.

Recognize that sales are reported by calendar year, not model year.

[Jesda]

Luxury cars on the market in 1995 that weren't there in 1990:

New BMW 5-series E39New BMW 7-series E38New Jaguar XJ X300Refreshed MB E-class W124K-Body Cadillac Seville STS w/ Northstar V8Audi A6Refreshed Lexus LS400

Wasn't easy for the Q as the decade went on. Considering that, it did okay.

[bruce.weiland]

Brian,

I don't suppose you have a break down by state, do you?

Here in So. Cal. I believe we have an inordinant number of G50 compared to the rest of the US.

You will recall the ill fated Fiero. I believe that each of its first three years it sold more than 100k. The last year 88, it was still over 24k before they shut the plant and moved the technology to Saturn.

So, although the G50's life span started about 5 years later than the Fiero and was/is admittedly a far more advanced vehicle, I seem to see more Q's in my area than I would expect, given the numbers.

I also, almost never, see a Lexus of the G50 years on the road. Did they all die? Or are the Lexus drivers not will to drive and old car?

Bruce

[maxnix]

I don't suppose you have a break down by state, do you?

I also, almost never, see a Lexus of the G50 years on the road. Did they all die? Or are the Lexus drivers not will to drive and old car?

Bruce

Nope, only the national annual sales.

See a fair amount of LS400 here, but most of the older ones are being augered into the ground. Few earlier than 1996 being maintained.

[Jesda]

I also, almost never, see a Lexus of the G50 years on the road. Did they all die? Or are the Lexus drivers not will to drive and old car?

Bruce

There's probably more of them running around than G50s, but they're so anonymous you aren't noticing them.

[bruce.weiland]

Well that is certainly possible. We do tend to notice what we drive.

But I look at cars a lot, and those old Lexi just don't seem to be around.

[bruce.weiland]

I sent these numbers to a friend who worked for NNA from 84 to 99 and was assigned to Infiniti from 90 to 95 and 98/99. He had the following comments that I thought many of you might find interesting.

> Hi Bruce,> Good to hear from you. With summer coming a good time to catch the car> show one of these weekends.>> Interesting Q info. I think price point is your key. From the retail> perspective, (I was traveling to dealers then) the economy also played a> role, you could lease a Q for $350 a month or buy one for less than $35K> in> 90/91, it took that incentive to get vehicles moving out the door. Much> to> our envy Lexus could not keep the LS400 in stock, at full price. Then to> make matters more difficult the post-Gulf War era and economic downperiod> of the early 90s also affected the luxury sales market. When those> $350/mo leases came back to renew, they were hit with $500/mo paymentsand> sales hit the skids. Still Lexus was immune from the economy and soldout> each year.>> I always felt that Infiniti should have blatantly knocked off the BMW 7> style, down to a modified kidney grill and tail flip. Instead of the> "badge" they could have used and oval logo and tacked it to the hood and> trunk lid (just like a Bimmer). Much like the Lexus copied the Mercedes> look without shame. The later Q grill and wood version was too littletoo> late, and the next generation was a capitulation.>> Did you know that in 99 or 98 Infiniti actually outsold Lexus. It was> largely because of the inexpensive G20, many of which were rentals and> service loaners. In fact, the Lexus sales VP even sniped in the media> that> Infiniti was relying on non luxury sales (but when was the ES ever> anything> more than a Camry with leather and extra insulation).>> In many ways the Q had BMW performance character, but the break through> styling got in the way. I think people would have gravitated towards a> Munich alternative. Remember the Datsun 510's claim to fame was as a2002> beater/alternative. You should have seen what the dealers in New> York/Jersey and Florida were doing to the early 90's Q. Gold packages,> fake convertible roofs (like a Caddy), animal skin interiors (fake of> course). We called them the "wise-guy" editions.>> Ironically, I see the original versions on the street today and those in> good condition have such a nice timeless look (maybe ahead of their> time?).> One of these days I'll have to catch a ride in yours.>> Cheers,> Leonard

Happy reading and driving,

Bruce