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Infiniti achieves record sales

  • Continued progress towards growth plan
  • Further strides in expanding product portfolio
  • Extends plant footprint to five countries

HONG KONG – Infiniti sold a record 101 220 new vehicles globally in the first six months in 2014, up 30% compared with the same period in 203. The automaker broke its monthly sales records globally in April, May and June in 2013.

The automaker has grown in 31 markets around the world, including the US, China, Canada, West Europe and the Middle East.

Infiniti president Johan de Nysschen said: “Infiniti is making significant progress towards its growth plan. We have achieved sales records globally as well as in many individual markets.
We continue to transform the organisation, strengthen our product portfolio and nurture the brand. This all results in accelerated growth versus the overall premium vehicle market.”

STRONG PERFORMANCE

In the US, Infiniti sold nearly 60 000 vehicles from January to June, a year-over-year increase of 14%. In Canada, sales were up 17% reaching 5100 vehicles. In China, which Infiniti is turning into its second volume hub, the company sold almost 14 000 vehicles, 130% up compared to a year ago outperforming the premium market by a wide margin.

According to Infiniti, it has at least doubled its sales in China in every month in 2014 and continues to challenge other premium brands in this highly competitive market. It has grown 23% in the Middle East.

Driven by its new Q50 sports saloon, Infiniti claims it increased its sales by 63% in the West European premium car market and more than tripled them in Korea compared to the first half of 2013.

Infiniti EMEA vice president, François Goupil de Bouille, commented: “Furthermore, in the last three months, West European sales have been growing by 251% compared to the same period last year.’’     

Following the Q30 Concept, which debuted at the Frankfurt auto show in 2013, and the Q50 Eau Rouge concept, revealed at the Detroit auto show in January 2014, Infiniti plans to introduce a series of concept vehicles with production intent at upcoming auto shows.

MORE PRODUCTS

The automake claims its vehicle portfolio will increase by 60% over the next five years, and the number of engines and transmissions will more than double. By the end of this decade, Infiniti says it will have eight different saloon and coupe lines, and six crossover and SUV lines, with direct injection, turbo charged gasoline, clean diesel, hybrid, plug-in hybrid and full EV powertrains.  

Later in 2014, production will start in China for the local market, and in 2015, Infiniti will start production of the Q30 in the UK.

At the end of June, the company announced the start of engine production at its Infiniti Powertrain Plant in Decherd, Tennessee, in the US, as well as production in Mexico as of 2017. This will extend Infiniti’s current manufacturing footprint from Japan and the US to five countries on three continents in the next few years. – Newspress.
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