Infiniti? WTF!?

[Ilya]

http://infinitinews.com/en-US/infiniti/ ... g-strategy

I don't even. What the? Huh?

[GQM45s]

"hey what car do you have? Infiniti Q........ Which one? uhhh....... i think its somewhere between 50 and 100...."

what in the world.....

[szh]

http://infinitinews.com/en-US/infiniti/ ... g-strategy

I don't even. What the? Huh?

Agreed that this is pretty bizarre!

Z

[atlM35]

Not sure what's wrong with the current naming convention.
At least I won't have to relearn the first 2 letters of my QX, we just got rid of the m35 for a QX56

[KGBhoy]

Car and Driver's take on it: This is Fatuous at Best, Disastrous At Worst

http://blog.caranddriver.com/infiniti-u ... ing-sedan/

[moedawg140]

When I first read this, I was hoping that this was a grand April Fools Joke. Even checked different calendars for a date that would at least be close to April Fools Day during this time of year. Even checked out the Darian (for Mars) calendar because this sounds like it is straight coming from Mars! I guess our M (as well as EX, G, JX, etc.) monikers are now obsolete.

Hopefully the CEO/Infiniti will keep the current naming structure once they start reading all of the horrid press and backlash they are receiving regarding the 2014 Infiniti Nomenclature!

[andre1038]

Im saying all the infiniti community and nissan community should petition against this stupid nomenclature

[Ilya]

http://infinitinews.com/en-US/infiniti/ ... g-strategy

I don't even. What the? Huh?

Agreed that this is pretty bizarre!

Z

Z, maybe you can link this on the main page to get the word out to the rest of the Infiniti community (G guys, etc.). This is stupid and needs to be stopped. It will end up being an embarrassment for Infiniti...something Top Gear will likely make fun of in their news segment. VERY bad PR IMO.

[wingFeather]

First Obama gets re-elected, now THIS. The world ended sometime recently & we are all still here to watch it burn.

[antzrus]

First Obama gets re-elected, now THIS. The world ended sometime recently & we are all still here to watch it burn.

Heheheheheee- we are the "Left Behind;" living a life in Hades.

Q this, Q that-Oh, the humanity...

[andre1038]

This the letter i sent Infiniti i suggest everybody sent them letters and messages about it or start a petition, remember manufactures have to care about their consumers because we buy their products and support them

Hi I am sending this message to whom it may concern. I am an Infiniti/Nissan loyalist and customer who is concerned with the direction of how Infiniti will start naming their future models Q and QX. I believe the way it is now is the way it should be. Me and my family own nothing but Infiniti and Nissan products. We have a G, Q, and J and also a Nissan Z. we have bought nothing but Nissan's and Infiniti's and I always supported and recommend your new product's to friends and family because of the way they feel, drive and how they are reliable compared to lets say a BMW. Now back to the main issue, dropping the nameplate "G" from the Infiniti line is a big giant marketing mistake. The "G" name has a following in the Nissan and Infiniti community you will essentially be dropping the name that turned Infiniti to what it has become today. Every time you think of Infiniti you think G (and now M since this name plate is starting to get it's own following just like the G first did) because that is the bread and butter of our line. Dropping the name will cost you recognition. For example i know many people who don't know much about the Infiniti brand but they at least do know at least the model "G"and how good the cars are. I as a Infiniti customer will lose interest in the brand if this marketing plan were to happen. You know how confusing its going to be for us owners to identify our cars to other people who don't know much of the brand? we are gonna be saying I have an infiniti Q50 and they are going to be saying which Q is that and how it looks like? and don't get me started on the QX line. QX is known for it being the big SUV not a crossover. I will leave it at this, what if Nissan dropped the Z name? see how many people will get upset. I am not the only one who is considering this a mistake, the whole community is rambling about how big of a mistake this is. Give it a couple days you will get more messages about this. I don't want our cars to have pointless numbers and letters like some other manufactures out there. I always like our nomenclature . (G37 = G with 3.7L engine, M56 = M with 5.6 L and so on...). Please hear out your customers out on this (Nissan is very good at keeping tabs on the loyalist community so why shouldn't Infiniti do the same, especially if this can prevent a downfall in recognition to the Infiniti brand)

[wingFeather]

If they're gonna have Q, they could at least have Spock, Kirk and the rest of the gang too!

[GenericM35]

My next car is going to be a Lexus for sure. I hate how Infiniti's leadership is based in France. They're getting no more autonomy because of stupid French laws even though Nissan today is a much bigger company than when Renault bought them.

That new GS Hybrid looks really really nice Though with that LFA instrument cluster in the new IS, I might end up getting that instead.

[bicsintegra]

this is just stupid have they learned nothing from Acura?

[Ilya]

This the letter i sent Infiniti i suggest everybody sent them letters and messages about it or start a petition, remember manufactures have to care about their consumers because we buy their products and support them

Hi I am sending this message to whom it may concern. I am an Infiniti/Nissan loyalist and customer who is concerned with the direction of how Infiniti will start naming their future models Q and QX. I believe the way it is now is the way it should be. Me and my family own nothing but Infiniti and Nissan products. We have a G, Q, and J and also a Nissan Z. we have bought nothing but Nissan's and Infiniti's and I always supported and recommend your new product's to friends and family because of the way they feel, drive and how they are reliable compared to lets say a BMW. Now back to the main issue, dropping the nameplate "G" from the Infiniti line is a big giant marketing mistake. The "G" name has a following in the Nissan and Infiniti community you will essentially be dropping the name that turned Infiniti to what it has become today. Every time you think of Infiniti you think G (and now M since this name plate is starting to get it's own following just like the G first did) because that is the bread and butter of our line. Dropping the name will cost you recognition. For example i know many people who don't know much about the Infiniti brand but they at least do know at least the model "G"and how good the cars are. I as a Infiniti customer will lose interest in the brand if this marketing plan were to happen. You know how confusing its going to be for us owners to identify our cars to other people who don't know much of the brand? we are gonna be saying I have an infiniti Q50 and they are going to be saying which Q is that and how it looks like? and don't get me started on the QX line. QX is known for it being the big SUV not a crossover. I will leave it at this, what if Nissan dropped the Z name? see how many people will get upset. I am not the only one who is considering this a mistake, the whole community is rambling about how big of a mistake this is. Give it a couple days you will get more messages about this. I don't want our cars to have pointless numbers and letters like some other manufactures out there. I always like our nomenclature . (G37 = G with 3.7L engine, M56 = M with 5.6 L and so on...). Please hear out your customers out on this (Nissan is very good at keeping tabs on the loyalist community so why shouldn't Infiniti do the same, especially if this can prevent a downfall in recognition to the Infiniti brand)

Got this response within MINUTES of sending your message to them. This means one thing, they have an automated message response for this thing...which means they have been getting SLAMMED with comments:

12/18/2012

Case # 10263400

Dear Ilya,

Thank you for taking the time to contact Infiniti and share your valuable insight with us. We greatly appreciate your interest in our products and the time you have taken to contact us.

We are sorry to hear of the concerns you have regarding the name change of our Infiniti vehicles. Infiniti continues our commitment to designing and building vehicles that incorporate our customers' needs for styling, performance, quality and safety.

Infiniti recognizes that people have different opinions as to the new direction Infiniti is taking. We assure you that your concerns are noted and being forwarded to the proper department.

To set your mind at ease, Case # 10263400 has been created to document your concern. Your comments are appreciated, as they will help us improve our level of service. Your satisfaction with your vehicle is our primary concern.

Sincerely,

Infiniti


___________________
Kelly Ingle
Consumer Affairs Representative
Infiniti

[szh]

Z, maybe you can link this on the main page to get the word out to the rest of the Infiniti community (G guys, etc.). This is stupid and needs to be stopped. It will end up being an embarrassment for Infiniti...something Top Gear will likely make fun of in their news segment. VERY bad PR IMO.

It is indeed a very stupid idea for Infiniti to do this.

I will look into what is possible for us to get some kind of petition going for Infiniti senior management on this.

Z

[jonlex99]

This is ridiculous. What are they thinking are they even thinking? This is as stupid as Lexus dropping the V8 out off the GS.

[bejjutsu]

Confusing. Furthermore, when I think of "Infiniti Q", I think "Ghetto Cruiser".

[andre1038]

Ilyakol that is the same response i got from Infiniti as well with a case number attached to it. Guys i talked to a head senior Nico member about this issue he said if im willing to put the time and effort he will support me and make this issue just as big as the Bring back the 240sx S16 issue but unlike the S16 issue of Nissan being stubborn on not making the 240 again this issue doesn't require much effort from Corporate just announce that "hey we decided to stay with the current nomenclature due to many of the models having many followers and by making them sort of a uniform line WILL ruin the reputation of the brand"

You know why i want to stop this because i dont want Infiniti to become the next Acura. Trust me i work for Honda and when Acura decided to go with that ugly front grill beak on all their cars they got hit bad and sales were hurting and they are still hurting after all this mainly because many people i talked to liked the looked of the Acura cars before that ugly beak shoot i remember talking to many people i know looking for a used 2008 TL (last year of the nice looking TL) so they can have the nicer look, shoot my aunt was one of them! so to prevent a disaster for the brand i believe we should stand up and say hey we are the guys who buy your product, Infiniti's biggest market is the U.S. If we get enough people talking about how bad this is i believe Infiniti and Nissan themselves will listen.

Do you see lexus eliminating their letters for just two and classifying them in one of the two model ranges ? NO

How about BMW? NO (they actually adding another series which is the 4 which is essentially the 3 series coupe with a different number but do you see BMW ever killing off the 3 series name heck no! you know how many BMW enthusiasts will be mad)
Mercedes? NO
Audi? NO
Acura? NO (but they did do the big mistake in making their cars look uniform with that front ugly beak so what happened next? people started over looking Acura as a brand due to their sheer ugliness? No cars should be uniform in anything from looks to names) I have also heard from many people i know that Acura lost its hold in the market when they decided to drop names in favor of Letter's and numbers, but in today's world all luxury manufactures have letters and numbers so maybe that argument is irrelevant.

So as i said before are you as the "M' guys should also stand up and say we like it the way it is.

[moedawg140]

Here is the president of Infiniti, Johan de Nysschen and his rebuttal - um...reasons regarding the 2014 Infiniti Nomenclature:

I obtained the info from http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2012/12/in ... ARSCOOP%29

"Infiniti Boss Explains "Q" Naming Strategy, Says Something About a 550hp+ V6 Turbo Version of M…

In an open letter addressed to fans and which was also distributed to the press, Johan de Nysschen, president of Infiniti, is explaining the reasons why the automaker has decided to change its nomenclature.

As a reminder, beginning with the 2014 model year and the G series sedan's replacement that is due to be revealed in Detroit next month, all Infiniti models will feature a Q in their name, with sedans, coupes and convertibles carrying the "Q" badge, and crossovers and SUVs gaining the "QX" designation, followed by two digits defining the model series.

Besides explaining the reasoning behind the company's decision, and which you can read in detail below, one thing that caught our attention in the former Audi executive's letter, is a reference to a "new high-tech 550+ horsepower performance flagship for the Infiniti M range above it [the M56], using a potent charged induction V6".

Random example? Could be, but then again, why would Nysschen go into such details regarding horsepower and the engine type, both of which point to the GT-R's powerplant… What do you think?



Johan de Nysschen's Open Letter

"Dear Infiniti fans: We love you dearly. And we know you love the brand. Which means it's only natural that you may feel surprised by the announcement that we plan to change our nomenclature philosophy. No one likes change.

It was a tough decision. We like our current model names as much as you do. But we had no choice but to change. Let me explain.

1. We are embarking on a massive product offensive, and these new cars need names. There are no suitable combinations of Alphanumeric naming options remaining that are not already trademarked by another automaker. In order to expand our line up with the fascinating new models we are developing, we must create a more flexible nomenclature philosophy.

2. Our new advanced technology engines under development will be smaller, lighter, more fuel efficient yet more powerful. And we will introduce some exhilarating performance machines in the future. I'm sure you will agree, it would be a bit odd to have a powerful, luxurious and refined V8 powered Infiniti M56, then position a new high-tech 550+ horsepower performance flagship for the Infiniti M range above it, using a potent charged induction V6, but then call it Infiniti M30, which we would be obliged to do, following our current naming logic.

3. Infiniti is becoming a global brand now. We are already active in almost 50 countries, the majority only very recently. Our new customers are unfamiliar with the brand and struggle to understand our range hierarchy. Is a JX above or below an FX? Where does an EX fit? What is the relationship between G and Infiniti M? Research confirms the majority of newcomers to our brand consider the naming to be somewhat arbitrary and confusing.

4. Infiniti owns the naming assets of Q plus double digit, and QX plus double digit. And it is a permanent part of our heritage.

So the solution is pretty straightforward - use Q for cars, QX for crossovers, and double digits in increments of ten, to denote hierarchy, linked to the price point of the model, not size and not engine displacement. And no, we wont call all-wheel drive models Q50X or QX50X. The fact that a model may feature four-wheel drive will be indicated by specific badging describing this feature on the car and is not part of the model name.

The really exciting implication of all this is that it prepares the way for the introduction of several fascinating new models above and below the current line up, and a wider range of powertrains including some truly stunning performance cars in our future.

So there is only good news for all Infiniti fans around the globe. We are working very hard to bring you great products, a great brand and a compelling ownership experience. And we are really confident you will love the new Q50. It's simply that good."

[andre1038]

Ok now i see his point of view in him changing but it still wont distinguish ourselves between models...

For example me and two other people buy a Q70 (Which is an "M") how the hell is it going to be distinguished if the car has a V6, V8, or V6 hybrid are they gonna slap badges that say v6, v8 or hybrid on the trunk as well?

With the V6TT i know it is gonna be an IPL so it will be called an Q70 IPL but what about the other 3?

[bejjutsu]

That actually makes a lot of sense. It will be confusing at first, but those upgrades sound awesome!

[Ilya]

Thanks for posting that. I agree, it's going to suck at first but by the sound of it...they knew it would be a challenge. However, sounds like Infiniti is going for the home run, which I love.

[moedawg140]

Ok now i see his point of view in him changing but it still wont distinguish ourselves between models...

For example me and two other people buy a Q70 (Which is an "M") how the hell is it going to be distinguished if the car has a V6, V8, or V6 hybrid are they gonna slap badges that say v6, v8 or hybrid on the trunk as well?

With the V6TT i know it is gonna be an IPL so it will be called an Q70 IPL but what about the other 3?

According to what I have read, the engine displacement badges will be on the fenders.

Thanks for posting that. I agree, it's going to suck at first but by the sound of it...they knew it would be a challenge. However, sounds like Infiniti is going for the home run, which I love.

No worries, Ilya. I'll take a car that is called a Q70 and whatever applicable engine displacement badging they put on the fenders as long as they revamp their in-car software to the same way (or better) than it was in 2010 (2011+ Y51 M's software/menus are atrocious to say the least).

[The Bodyguard]

I agree, I don't like the new naming AT ALL!!!

[wingFeather]

With 26 letters in the alphabet, they were nowhere near running out of options.

As for ranking of names, that is a piss poor excuse, too. How does one rank a "Mustang" above a "Fusion"? I'd rather have limitless energy than a horse!!!

What it really seems to come down to is that Infiniti wants to sell in more countries, and is more concerned with impressing those new buyers than keeping it's loyal base here in the states. I'm guessing that China will be one of those new markets that will outsell the USA, so they are trying to put those customers first.

Fail.

[jpkas88]

Business idea: put a kit together to remove the Q badges and replace them with the correct M, G, FX, etc. badges

[Ilya]

Business idea: put a kit together to remove the Q badges and replace them with the correct M, G, FX, etc. badges

[atlM35]

I like that Idea!

"I'm sure you will agree, it would be a bit odd to have a powerful, luxurious and refined V8 powered Infiniti M56, then position a new high-tech 550+ horsepower performance flagship for the Infiniti M range above it, using a potent charged induction V6, but then call it Infiniti M30"

M30-T ? That T would say it all...

[wingFeather]

Call it the M80 then. Nobody knew the numbers were for displacement anyway (except a handful of enthusiasts maybe).