Nissan almost cut the Infiniti brand

[Kompresshun]

Interesting bit of news. I still don't think the Q naming strategy is going to save the brand, or is even a great idea. I do hope though that their other plans will help them reach their goals and help the brand stay afloat. I feel like Nissan still needs Infiniti, regardless of what Ghosn thinks, because the brand needs some premium offerings. I suppose everything could fall under the Nissan nameplate, but I think there is still a place for Infiniti in the market with the right things done.

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.'

Read the rest here:
http://jalopnik.com/5978301/nissan-almo ... n-infiniti

[szh]

Interesting bit of news. I still don't think the Q naming strategy is going to save the brand, or is even a great idea. I do hope though that their other plans will help them reach their goals and help the brand stay afloat. I feel like Nissan still needs Infiniti, regardless of what Ghosn thinks, because the brand needs some premium offerings. I suppose everything could fall under the Nissan nameplate, but I think there is still a place for Infiniti in the market with the right things done.

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.'

Read the rest here:
http://jalopnik.com/5978301/nissan-almo ... n-infiniti

Sigh ...

Having been a Nissan owner in 1985 (Nissan 300ZX Turbo) and, now, an Infiniti owner since March of 1991 (three of their vehicles so far), the day they kill the Infiniti brand will be the day I will stop considering a future purchase of any Nissan vehicle.

I am still thinking about the whole Q naming thing ... will post once I feel I am not being emotional about my reactions.

Z

[Kompresshun]

I honestly share a similar sentiment. Nissan only offers one vehicle i'd consider purchasing currently and that's the 370Z, but I still can't get over it's looks, so there's nothing really that would be an immediate buy for me. Even with Infiniti though, i'd only consider an M56 or a G37 Coupe. Aside from that, i'd probably keep right on driving and head to another dealership without even slowing down.

[RicerX]

Very interesting.

My two cents for the following scenarios:

1 - as is, naming strategy in effect) Infiniti needs a game changer, and I'm not talking about nomenclature here. They need something to go for the balls of the 3-series, and this new Q50 isn't it. It's a refreshed G - it has all the elegance of drinking wine out of a nice wine glass that you'd expect in a luxury sedan, but for some reason the 3-series is the same wine glass, except it's filled with wine out of a $100 bottle of Cabernet and the Infiniti is filled with that of a $10 bottle of Merlot. You're not getting the same thing. Same with the Audi A4 against the Infiniti. The G sedan has just never appeared to have belonged against those cars to me.

Now - my opinion here may be someone distorted by my disdain for the refreshed G sedan being what ushered in the new naming convention for Infiniti. They have also said that the new G coupe is three or four years down the road. W. T. F. It is high time for Infiniti to s*** or get off the pot here. What they should have done to usher in the new naming stuff was WAIT until they had a MAJOR flagship that could be the beacon for the rebranding. The G is not it. Even in its new design, it still seems tired and boring to me. Make an M3 killer. Make a CTS-V sedan killer. Make an Audi S7 killer. Make a C63 AMG killer. MAKE SOMETHING EXCITING. To me, it seems as though their design language is targeting the crowd that owns two sets of golf clubs but they can't possibly load them into their Infiniti because their arthritis is too far gone. Even Mercedes is making a C-class Coupe as exciting looking as an Accord and still managing to sell it more than a G. /rant

2 - Nissan absorbs Infiniti, along with some of its offerings) Absorb the M platform and use it for the Maxima (hell - rebadge the current M as a Maxima. Then the Maxima will finally be far enough away from the Altima and you could truly bill it as a 4DSC with an actual RWD platform while justifying the price difference between the two). Use the QX56 to refresh the Armada, powertrain and all (better fuel economy in the Infiniti's 5.6 with better power). Can the rest of it. I have nothing for the rest of the lineup, save maybe the JX. I'd say keep the FX if you can find a way to sell the latest pair of Air Jordans with it (the body style of the car and the shoes match in terms of design). The EX is like an FX with downs, so we don't need that. If I was in charge and I decided that I didn't need the Infiniti brand, I'd honestly consider this.

I guess I've just been disappointed with Infiniti. The whole IPL concept really topped it off. They were talking like it was going to be the Audi S-line/BMW M Line/Mercedes AMG line and they show up with a different set of rims and an exhaust. It was like seeing the little kid show up to hockey tryouts wearing a pair of figure skates and a bicycle helmet.

[RicerX]

I honestly share a similar sentiment. Nissan only offers one vehicle i'd consider purchasing currently and that's the 370Z, but I still can't get over it's looks, so there's nothing really that would be an immediate buy for me. Even with Infiniti though, i'd only consider an M56 or a G37 Coupe. Aside from that, i'd probably keep right on driving and head to another dealership without even slowing down.

Fully seconded. Although I love the Xterra, but don't like $4/gallon gas at a rate of 15 MPG, so I bought my Mazda instead. I own the only other Nissan I really wanted that's currently offered, and the only two Infinitis I would buy are an M56S and a G37 Coupe.

[Kompresshun]

I love the Xterra as well, but at that kind of fuel mileage i'd just assume to have a full size, crew cab pickup and call it a day. That or an SRT8 Grand Cherokee.

I think if they absorbed Infiniti, the G Coupe should just become a Z 2+2 and call it a day. You'd still lose the sedan, but you only need so many sedans anyways.

[gwoods]

When I was purchasing Nissan/Infiniti products it was because they were the fastest and also cheapest in the category of vehicle I shopped for. I bought a 2001 Altima back in 02 because it had 160hp. I bought my G35 sedan back 2007 because it had 306 hp. The IPL line is a joke. I took out a M56 on a borrowed car before I bought my Jag and it was painfully slow compared to the Jag, probably would keep up with a non supercharged Jag though. The M56 had a 68k sticker? I also drove a slightly (5k miles) M35H the old vq35hr motor with a electric and some batteries in the truck stuffed in the M37 body. It was slow too. when your selling Nissans cross shopped vs Jag, Audi, BMW and Mercedes there needs to be a compelling reason to 'settle' on the Nissan.

[audtatious]

There is no current Nissan I would want. I like the Infiniti as an up-scale brand to compete with Lexus, Acura, etc. i always liked the G (I have 2) and the Q50 is not that bad but needs to have more power.

IPL platform is supposed to be a TT setup when the new coupe comes out. Will compete with the GT-R but cost more.

I will be replacing my '07 G35s sedan later this year and I'm not sure if I will stay with Infiniti at this point. i will keep my coupe for another couple years and will see what the next gen coupe offers.

[VQpwrdSE-R]

I agree with most of you guys. I have had the SE-R for over 4 years paid it off long ago and wanting to be loyal to the Nissan brand I'm thinking of what in their lineup I want. The new altima is nice looking and will probably get one for my wife, I just couldn't deal with the cvt. The maxima is meh, and the 370 isn't big enough. That leaves me with the G37. It is the only option i like for staying with the nissan/infiniti family. I haven't decided upon sedan or coupe yet.

When will corporate Nissan see what they are doing to the brand loyalists? Without an effective exciting lineup they are driving loyal owners into the arms of another company. Anyways I digress, such ranting belongs in the Affordable RWD BRz competitor thread.

I will be replacing my '07 G35s sedan later this year and I'm not sure if I will stay with Infiniti at this point. i will keep my coupe for another couple years and will see what the next gen coupe offers.

Hit me up when you are looking to sell Matt. I've always liked your G.

[MinisterofDOOM]

If the brand isn't doing what you want, DO SOMETHING ELSE WITH IT! It's not a living creature. It's a brand. It does what you make it do. And what they've made it do is lose its flagship, get ugly, and publicly announce that it will no longer offer V8 engines. ALL BAD. A 3-series fighter ALONE is not enough. Just ask Cadillac. You need diversity. And premium luxury brands are no place for hippie idealism. The guy shopping for S-classes, A8s, and 7 series doesn't care WHAT his MPG are, and fuel economy is DEFINITELY not on his comparison-shopping list. If the A8 (or the Equus!) is a better car, he'll buy it. Infiniti understands the low-end of the luxury market fine, which is great. But they can't afford to be content to play in the minor leagues. They need to step up and rock EVERY SEGMENT THEY PARTICIPATE IN. They're not. The G is the golden child and everything else plays second fiddle. And that's incredibly backward. The G is the ENTRY LEVEL CAR.

[AZhitman]

What's amazing to me is how astute and knowledgeable you guys, the "unwashed masses," are.

While I sense just a hint of sarcasm, or "lost in translation," in Mr. Palmer's quote of Mr. Ghosn, I also know this: Even if it WAS true, it's NOT something you tell the world. That doesn't inspire a whole lot of confidence in the potential Infiniti buyer, if the brand isn't something near and dear to the corporation.

Between this issue and the RWD affordable sports car issue, I'm putting this in writing: Nissan had better pull its collective head out of its collective a$$ with a quickness. Like, yesterday.

The Koreans have found the pulse of the American buyer and are playing it like a fiddle. Germany's pissed that it's being challenged and is about to unleash a whole lot of awesome on the automotive world, and Detroit is pretty tired of being kicked in the nuts, too - Cadillac is bringing its A-game.

Ignore them (and us) at your own peril, Nissan.

[krash]

Pretty soon I'll just call myself a NICO enthusiast instead of a Nissan enthusiast....

Nicoclub just needs to absorb Nissan. We'll make Greg the CEO, and Nissan will once again be a great brand. Heck, MOD might even like the new line up

[Bubba1]

What's amazing to me is how astute and knowledgeable you guys, the "unwashed masses," are.

While I sense just a hint of sarcasm, or "lost in translation," in Mr. Palmer's quote of Mr. Ghosn, I also know this: Even if it WAS true, it's NOT something you tell the world. That doesn't inspire a whole lot of confidence in the potential Infiniti buyer, if the brand isn't something near and dear to the corporation.

Between this issue and the RWD affordable sports car issue, I'm putting this in writing: Nissan had better pull its collective head out of its collective a$$ with a quickness. Like, yesterday.

The Koreans have found the pulse of the American buyer and are playing it like a fiddle. Germany's pissed that it's being challenged and is about to unleash a whole lot of awesome on the automotive world, and Detroit is pretty tired of being kicked in the nuts, too - Cadillac is bringing its A-game.

Ignore them (and us) at your own peril, Nissan.

Well said. I really wonder why Mr. Palmer would acknowledge a story like that. If Mr. Ghosn did actually say something like that, why would Palmer confirm it? There' s no upside by doing so. Either Ghosn is painted as a short sighted fool or Palmer is self promoting at Ghosn's and Infiniti's expense.

the odd decisions Nissan's been making recently (disturbing CVT obsession, the murano cross-cabriolet, overall crossover obsession, trashing Infiniti's hard earned G/M reputations by replacing it with Audi's "Q" letter with an extra digit ) certainly does not help promote brand loyalty.

[audtatious]

Hit me up when you are looking to sell Matt. I've always liked your G.

I'll let people here know first. Who knows, I may keep it and TT the crap out of it

[audtatious]

The Koreans have found the pulse of the American buyer and are playing it like a fiddle. Germany's pissed that it's being challenged and is about to unleash a whole lot of awesome on the automotive world, and Detroit is pretty tired of being kicked in the nuts, too - Cadillac is bringing its A-game.

Ignore them (and us) at your own peril, Nissan.

I get the sense some of the decisions are simply market-share driven in order to take more of Honda/Toyota who have very few inspiring vehicles. The more performance-oriented ones they (Toy/Hon) do have are either not performance enough or cost more than a house. Nissan/Infiniti have something those two don't have "for the common masses" and that's RWD coupes and sporty sports sedans that are affordable. You also have the push to meet new mpg requirements.

Hyundai with the 429hp Genesis sedan has really started to push things. If the Genesis coupe comes out with a similar option, watch out! MB really needs something performance oriented than the 270hp sedan boats they sell in the mid-40k range. While I like some of their offerings I'm not about to pay more (a crap ton more in some instances) for less performance. I like the CTS-V but still get caught up in their too-squared styling.

Anyway, kinda off track.

[gwoods]

To take it farther off track 450 hp stingray 429 hp hyundai why did gm come to the fight packing so light?

[RicerX]

To take it farther off track 450 hp stingray 429 hp hyundai why did gm come to the fight packing so light?

It is not only horsepower that completes a car. Take a Genesis around Laguna Seca, record the lap time, then take the Vette. Watch it unfold.

[gwoods]

Bringing it back on track Infiniti, WHY is the G37 slower then the 2007-2008 G35? The G37 IPL did 0-60 in 5.4 seconds a few mags got the G35S to do it in 5.2 I saw one do it in 5.0. Mine was a light Journey with shorter and fatter tires a Y pipe/Fujita short ram and anti plastic diet I could get 5.0 on the street pretty frequently. Build cars like this again.

[audtatious]

The G37 IS NOT slower than the 2007-2008 G35. I have both. At least when comparing my G37s coupe vs. the G35s sedan, stock for stock.

[AZhitman]

I'll just be happy when Nissan (especially Infiniti) throttle tip-in is finally fixed.

I sold a gorgeous G35 supercharged coupe JUST because the throttle tip-in made me look like a toolbag driving at low speeds.

Some of the best tuners in the western US couldn't "write it out".

So, yeah - When the throttle position sensor is calibrated to be perfectly, 100% linear, I'll be back for another one. Until then, I'll stick to my plan of replacing my C5 with another one.

You guys have NO idea how sad all this makes me... especially after dedicating 11 years to this brand. I pray they turn it around with a quickness.

[Rev_D21]

Nissan has tested my patience for 10 years now. I have accepted the fact that the cool Nissan of the past is not coming back. Not easy to stomach after having Nissan tatoo'd to my a** since I was born. My parents owned a '73 610 at the time I was born, it's in my blood. I, too, am sad about this.

[gwoods]

The G37 IS NOT slower than the 2007-2008 G35. I have both. At least when comparing my G37s coupe vs. the G35s sedan, stock for stock.

07 Sedan
0-60 in 5.2
http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/200 ... -road-test

2010 coupe
0-60 in 5.4
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/cou ... ngine.html


but your probably right or it could be the driver

[DJ_B_Easy]

While I sense just a hint of sarcasm, or "lost in translation," in Mr. Palmer's quote of Mr. Ghosn, I also know this: Even if it WAS true, it's NOT something you tell the world.(

Unless, you want to start SOME sort of buzz for your "meh" offerings which might become the only available options within your brand when you behead Infiniti. CVTs are going to be hot commodity people, get 'em while you can!

Nissan sucks, an Infiniti equipped to my liking is not in my price range, I'll stick with NICO.

[RicerX]

I'll just be happy when Nissan (especially Infiniti) throttle tip-in is finally fixed.

I sold a gorgeous G35 supercharged coupe JUST because the throttle tip-in made me look like a toolbag driving at low speeds.

Some of the best tuners in the western US couldn't "write it out".

So, yeah - When the throttle position sensor is calibrated to be perfectly, 100% linear, I'll be back for another one.

Need to come to Z1 in Carrolton, my friend. They finally got a linear throttle smoothing feature added to their UpRev Osiris tune on the 370. Cannot wait until I get that rockin on mine. I just have a little ways to go before I'm ready for a tune.

[RicerX]

Nissan sucks, an Infiniti equipped to my liking is not in my price range, I'll stick with NICO.

NICO - where you won't eventually have to ride around in a self-driving, self-parking, self-loathing Leaf.

[gwoods]

We should start our own car company call it Nico... even better would Nissan sell us the Infiniti brand and we can fix it.

[gwoods]

The G37 IS NOT slower than the 2007-2008 G35. I have both. At least when comparing my G37s coupe vs. the G35s sedan, stock for stock.

07 Sedan
0-60 in 5.2
http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/200 ... -road-test

2010 coupe
0-60 in 5.4
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/cou ... ngine.html


but your probably right or it could be the driver

I found a faster time for your G37 coupe but I can't find the faster test of te G35 sedan.... you have to have a Journey and you are able to do 0-60 in 5.1

2008 G37 coupe 0-60 in 5.3
http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/200 ... ing-page-5

[MinisterofDOOM]

We should start our own car company call it Nico... even better would Nissan sell us the Infiniti brand and we can fix it.

First order of business: Axe the JXThirtyFail.
Second order of business: Add manual transmission options across the board.
Third order of business: Make the VK56VD optional in ALL MODELS. (G56 anyone?)

Then, once that's done, we can build a Q56 with short- and long-wheelbase options and XJ Supersport-fighting luxury/performance/weight combo and more aluminum and magnesium than you can shake an F35 at. Offer it with a blower, magnetorheological shocks, traction control you can turn OFF, a fancy LSD and a fast steering ratio, call it a Q56RS, charge $100k for it and watch the Germans wonder what the Hell just hit them.

[AZhitman]

I shall appoint MOD as my Director of Product Planning.

The attorneys are gonna hate him. Red Bull may need to kick up the sponsorship money - I smell a dynasty in the works.

[dre1507]

I want in on this new dynasty. I don't mind a fancy title or position like "Director of...", but I get first dibs on all test drives for new models and whenever there engine or suspension changes. This is the only job where I probably wouldn't bother going home.