Infiniti isn't in the UK

[BadQ45t]

I'm traveling in the UK right now, headed to France, Germany, Holland and Italy next on a business trip. Anyhow, I drove all over the place with a guy from the Microsoft UK office (I work for MS in the US) in his MB C230 compressor yesterday. Man, they get to speed in the UK on the M40! He was nailing it and we were cruising at 85MPH and not passing anyone. In any case we're on a country road at one point that pinches down into a single VERY small passage all of a sudden. This MB BARELY makes it through, i commented that my Q would have been up on one of the curbs that was so narrow. He said he had no clue what that was, I said you you know Infiniti, the fancy Nissan brand. No clue, and he told me he's a "real car buff" so I was very surprised. I asked a few others in the UK and they didn't know either.

I had a cab ride today in Nissan Primera, not sure what the heck that thing was, I have not seen the equivalent in the US, it was a hatchback type thing with a pretty small 4 banger. I was glad to at least see a Nissan in operation, but in the UK it is mostly MB, BMW, Rover, Vauxval (a GM brand), Ford, and a few Jags.

[f8sjester]

most car companies only market their "upscale" line in the USA. . . the names "Infiniti", "Acura", "Lexus" don't exist even in Japan . . . they're all just marketed under Nissan, Honda, and Toyota respectively . ..

it's just another way to gouge more $$$ from americans. . .

[infinitinut]

Regularly visiting Germany, I have NEVER seen an Infiniti there, and people do not even know what it is! You try and explain that it is Nissan's luxury line, and they still do not get it! I do see a few Lexus 400s, though. Get used to seeing LOTS of vehicles - both Japanese and European - that will never darken these shores! As usual, I have a MB S Klass at my disposal while there. Although the drive train excells, the decontenting that Daimler-Chrysler has done to get their prices down is very obvious! I will take my 92 Q anytime over these newer Benzes!

[Q45tech]

Based on exchange rates all the upscale version sell for less in the US than they do anywhere else in the World..........even in Japan!

[maxnix]

Jeff, that's "kerb" to the blokes. Kind of like "tyres," "bonnet" and "boot."

[greg_atlanta]

Primera is same thing as G20 (at least old model).

I did see a lot of Lexus LS400 and IS200 (same as IS300) in London.

There are some Infiniti Q45 in Tokyo (90-96 style), and Toyota is now starting to market the Lexus models in Japan for the first time.

[Metroyed]

arn't most of the luxory lines(Acura, Lexus, Infiniti) planted in the USA anyway? I know that in Japan NSXs and Integras carry the "H" symbol.

[nlzmo400r]

well in japan those integras and NSXs are Hondas, however over here our old Type R is an acura, an di think it was actually made here, on u.s soil, same goes with the acura NSX

[VimyJ]

Infiniti is only a marketing term for certain Nissan cars sold in N. America. They sell "Q45"s in Japan but they are called Nissans. In fact, we don't get the fanciest Nissans here in the US. Japanese Nissan guys refit their Nissans with Infiniti emblems to make tham exotic. Exact same cars with different badging. Perhaps Nissan just doesn't have much market penetration in the EC.

[Jesda]

Nissan Cima = Infiniti Q45.

[maxnix]

Nissan Cima = Infiniti Q45.

Only from 1997 to present.__________________Brian1995 Q45 & Q45t

Discover the power of the button!

[infinitinut]

I seem to recall a couple of years ago, while out in Hong Kong and Singapore, the Qs were badged as Nissan Presidents. Also, when in NZ and Australia, same thing, if I recall. (Aussies and Kiwis have hit upon a good deal. Due to extremely difficult tests on used vehicles over 2 years old for compliance with very stringent emission, etc., laws, I was told that they would go up to Japan and buy a boat load of 2 or 3 year old vehicles which had been traded in rather than go through the hassle of the inspections!) Right hand drive vehicles and all fit right in!

[BadQ45t]

As an update, finally got a fast internet connect and some time, there are no Cima's in the UK either. I did see one LS400 on the way to Heathrow. I'm in Paris now, same story, hardly any Nissans at all, but I did some funny small ones, I'll post pics when I get my the pics off the dig camera...Germany, Holland and Italy next but not expecting many Nissans. THere are some very cool Renaults and Peutogs (sp) here, however, we mostly remember them as slow POS or diesel dog....

[infinitinut]

diesel dog....

Let me be the first to tell you that diesel technology, when coupled with turbocharging, has become quite popular in much of Europe! I will neve forget bombing along on one of Deutschland's autobahnen at over 120mph, and looking into my rear view mirror (a wise thing to do often over there due to the horrendous speeds routinely driven!), and, closing very quickly was a vehicle and, as it passed me, I observed that it was a VW Passat diesel SW, whichy must have been at least another 10 mph faster than I was driving. I believe the Audi variation of this vehicle is one of the most aggressive, purposeful, looking vehicles on the road. Most manufacturers over there, set up the engines for wide open driving, fitting cold plugs, etc. Diesels are no longer dogs! It is too bad that we do not get a lot of the vehicles that they have access to, over there! Renault, Peugeot, and, even that long lamented Rover, sell quite well in Germany (remember the now Chirac/Schroder love affaire! At least, until the next war!

[dutch boy]

OH yes,Diesel cars over here are not like the old MB 300D anymore.Nissan just came out with a new 100KW 300NM 2.2 diesel in a small 3dr hatch called almera.......6 speed and 135 MPH straight out of the showroom floor!!!! and all that with optional 50 miles to the gallon.

Greetings from the dope and cheese country!!

[BadQ45t]

I know, I road in a pretty fast turbo diesel in the UK and in France too, I was just thinking about my memory of the Peugots.

I was in Germany today and the idiot cabbie got me totally lost. We're in a brand new benz, I think it was a E320 but couldn't be sure since it had no badges and the driver didnt' know, so he says, "if you're okay with it I'll drive fast and get you there as fast as possible.' I said "NAIL it"

More later

[infinitinut]

if you're okay with it I'll drive fast and get you there as fast as possible.'

Hah! You are lucky! Most of the German cabbies that I have used just said, "Achtung, Dumkophh Amerikaner, Los" (roughly translated, ("Hang on dumb****, cause we are going to rock and roll"). But, at least it was an excellent excuse to partake of a few grosse biers after the wild ride!

[BadQ45t]

It was even a newer Benz, but the gearing is really different on these Euro cars, that thing was screaming at 210kilometers. He also got lost like three times and the third time I made him turn off the meter!

[rydwhite]

Why don't they just sell Infiniti under the Nissan name here in the U.S. as they do in Japan? Is it just to separate the lexury nissans from the regular nissans?

[VimyJ]

Why don't they just sell Infiniti under the Nissan name here in the U.S. as they do in Japan? Is it just to separate the lexury nissans from the regular nissans?

Yep. Caddy Vs Chevy.

[infinitinut]

While walking around Berlin, one day, a few years ago, I passed a Toyota showroom! Guess what was in the middle, thereof? A Lexus LS 400! And, boy of boy of boy (Jugen, Jugen, Jugen in German!), did it have a whopping price tag! But, you always must figure in their VAT, currently at 16%! Still, it was quite a bit more than one would fetch, here in the US! Given the German penchant for nationalism, and the upscale vehicles they themselves make, I cannot imagine Nissan or Toyota really being able to dent that segment of the market! The resale on luxury sedans is quite weak, in that so many are stolen and shipped into the former block countries! A friend is trading in a 4 year old BMW 735, with the equivalent of 36K miles. The dealer allowed him only 23000 Euros (pretty much one to one, any more) for it on a new 5 series Bimmer. I could not believe it! The vehicle had every bell and whistle, to include navigation, and was immaculate (this is one wealthy dude who has a stable full of BMW things, to include bikes). If it were not for all the hassle to get one into the US, I would have bought it (then figure out how to make the alimony payments!).

[BadQ45t]

Cars are way more in Germany and Holland is out of control. We get great deals in the US...after 2 weeks in Europe I kissed the ground and sang god bless america. The funniest cars are in italy, i was in Rome and saw one Ferrari, mostly I saw little %@#$box cars, gas is like 6 bucks a gallon in Italy, ouch, not too many 12 cylinder cars running around even though that is where they are made. How many rich people in Italy anyways?

One thing they really get in Europe is engine choice. Each car has like 5 engines to choose from, Audi A6 for example has 6 different ones to choose from, we used to have that in the 60's in US Muscle cars.

[PalmerWMD]

There are a couiple of Infinti's in Germany/Europe as grey market cars.

Nissan doesn't sell them there.

I am currently trying to hook up some service manuals for new V8 Infintis up, for a large German dealership that likes ot be able to service them properly.

Fred..