Automotive World - Japan: Infiniti becomes stand-alone global division; new small crossover being considered

Japan: Infiniti becomes stand-alone global division; new small crossover being considered

By: Glenn Brooks, Friday, May 09, 2008, AutomotiveWorld.com

Nissan has announced the creation of Infiniti Business Unit (IBU), giving the premium brand its own global headquarters in Atsugi city, Kanagawa prefecture and appointing Akihiro Otomo to run it.

The OEM says the aims of this new division are "to solidify global business operations for Infiniti, ensure consistent development of the Infiniti brand globally, and drive profitable growth for Infiniti around the world". From now on, product planning, technical development, purchasing, quality, manufacturing, marketing, sales and aftersales will be the responsibility of IBU.

All Infiniti regional operations will now report to the IBU, with the aim being to lift sales globally.

Since the start of the Nissan Value-Up business plan, Infiniti's global sales volume has increased by 7.3%, Nissan states. Comparing fiscal 2004, when 7% of Infiniti sales came from outside the US, to fiscal year 2007, some 17% of the brand's sales were in other markets, with the trend set to continue, particularly with the launch of Western Europeans operations later this year.

In related news, at a recent media event in Portugal, 'Nissan 360', the outline of a new Infiniti concept was projected onto a screen. Clearly influenced by the new FX crossover's styling, this vehicle will premiere at an international motor show within the next 12 months, a spokesman for Infiniti Europe has told AutomotiveWorld.com.

While some media claim the vehicle is to be a preview of a rear-wheel drive rival for the BMW 3-Series coupe and forthcoming two-door derivative of the Lexus IS, the spokesman ruled this out. Instead, the car may be a small crossover to rival the forthcoming (but as yet unconfirmed) Audi Q3. Infiniti's spokesman would not comment on this.

Published on Friday, May 09, 2008