Next time you’re over at a friend’s house, throw out the word “Maxima” and see how many people recognize the name of a car. There won’t be a lot.
For a few years now, the Nissan Maxima has been stealthily distributed. At the end of October, according to figures published in the weekly American magazine Automotive News, only 1,926 Canadians bought one of these luxury cars. Even if that’s a 27% increase over 2009, it remains a marginal number.
As for Hyundai, it’s causing quite a stir with its new Genesis sedan. The automaker sold 3,639 in ten months. And yet, barely a year ago this car was a total unknown. The Maxima? It’s been part of the automotive landscape since the early 80s!
Victim of the Infiniti
The current unpopularity of the Maxima has nothing to do with its equipment level, price, performance or driving enjoyment. Nope. The thorn in its side has a name: Infiniti.
The inception of Nissan’s premium brand threw into shadow what used to be the marque’s North American standard-bearer. The arrival of the sublime Infiniti G35, packing a more potent variant of the Maxima’s engine back then, only made things worse, and the antagonism grew with the diversification of the “G” range. The sales figures speak for themselves: by the end of October 2010, 3,788 Infiniti Gs were sold in the country.
The Maxima seems to be condemned to playing second fiddle. It meets the needs of buyers who don’t have access to an Infiniti dealer, where it serves as an alternative to the opulent Altima for loyal Nissan fans.
And the other buyers? The big sedan doesn’t even cross their mind. Most of them have migrated over to the German marques, and the C-Class, A4, 3-Series, Passat and Passat CC are generating a lot of interest.
Complete paraphernalia
It’s an unfortunate situation. After all, the Maxima has a lot to offer, starting with its elegant profile and reasonable proportions. Its big aluminum alloy wheels, 18 or 19 inches depending on your preferences, emphasize a dynamic personality, as do the headlamps with their unusual angled shape. Though less eccentric than their forward-facing brethren, the taillamps are nonetheless similarly striking, if only with their 12 LEDs coupled with dual classic running lights. They create the signature look we recognize when following a Maxima.
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| The Maxima 3.5 SV is one of Nissan’s standard-bearers. It’s also a little-known luxury sedan. (Photo: Luc Gagné/Auto123.com) |
For a few years now, the Nissan Maxima has been stealthily distributed. At the end of October, according to figures published in the weekly American magazine Automotive News, only 1,926 Canadians bought one of these luxury cars. Even if that’s a 27% increase over 2009, it remains a marginal number.
As for Hyundai, it’s causing quite a stir with its new Genesis sedan. The automaker sold 3,639 in ten months. And yet, barely a year ago this car was a total unknown. The Maxima? It’s been part of the automotive landscape since the early 80s!
Victim of the Infiniti
The current unpopularity of the Maxima has nothing to do with its equipment level, price, performance or driving enjoyment. Nope. The thorn in its side has a name: Infiniti.
The inception of Nissan’s premium brand threw into shadow what used to be the marque’s North American standard-bearer. The arrival of the sublime Infiniti G35, packing a more potent variant of the Maxima’s engine back then, only made things worse, and the antagonism grew with the diversification of the “G” range. The sales figures speak for themselves: by the end of October 2010, 3,788 Infiniti Gs were sold in the country.
The Maxima seems to be condemned to playing second fiddle. It meets the needs of buyers who don’t have access to an Infiniti dealer, where it serves as an alternative to the opulent Altima for loyal Nissan fans.
And the other buyers? The big sedan doesn’t even cross their mind. Most of them have migrated over to the German marques, and the C-Class, A4, 3-Series, Passat and Passat CC are generating a lot of interest.
Complete paraphernalia
It’s an unfortunate situation. After all, the Maxima has a lot to offer, starting with its elegant profile and reasonable proportions. Its big aluminum alloy wheels, 18 or 19 inches depending on your preferences, emphasize a dynamic personality, as do the headlamps with their unusual angled shape. Though less eccentric than their forward-facing brethren, the taillamps are nonetheless similarly striking, if only with their 12 LEDs coupled with dual classic running lights. They create the signature look we recognize when following a Maxima.
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| The big Nissan can be decked out in optional 19-inch wheels. (Photo: Luc Gagné/Auto123.com) |