Infiniti's Flagship Q45 Still Languishes in Sales while Rivals Succeed
Just why Infiniti's Q45 doesn't sell very well must be a quandary for the Nissan luxury division's executives. On paper, at least, it fulfills all requirements
for success in its segment. The car is large, features rear-drive and a powerful V8 engine, plus it's luxuriously equipped. And to Infiniti's credit the Q is priced at the lower end of the premium sedan scale, at $88,000 compared to more established luxury players such as the Audi A8 at $93,900, BMW 750i at $98,800 and Mercedes-Benz S-Class at $104,600.
But then again, Jaguar sells its very established XJ for $500 less than Infiniti's Q, and the revered Lexus LS 430, which at a paltry $84,900 is not only arguably better made than the Q45 but is also quicker to 100 km/h, faster through the slalom, more maneuverable in parking lots, not to mention more lavishly equipped at the top end.
Hmmm... but sophisticated premium buyers don't care much for such performance
superlatives, do they? Yes, they actually do. But what matters more than all-out performance in this crowd is prestige, and when it comes right down to it, only the $99,600 Volkswagen Phaeton has less, which is the reason the ambitious German manufacturer sells fewer cars in this segment.
So how does Infiniti raise its game in order to lure more premium buyers into its fold? There's no easy answer to this one, but one senior executive within the company believes its flagship sedan should go up-market. In an interview with Edmunds.com's Inside Line, Mark Igo, Infiniti vice president and general manager, said that this year's addition of its M35/45 allows an upscale move for the Q45.
"The Q has a loyal base, but the sales are very small. As we grow the M business, we want to take it to the next phase for that type of buyer," he commented.
Just why Infiniti's Q45 doesn't sell very well must be a quandary for the Nissan luxury division's executives. On paper, at least, it fulfills all requirements
 |
| Just why Infiniti's Q45 doesn't sell very well must be a quandary for the Nissan luxury division's executives. (Infiniti Canada) |
But then again, Jaguar sells its very established XJ for $500 less than Infiniti's Q, and the revered Lexus LS 430, which at a paltry $84,900 is not only arguably better made than the Q45 but is also quicker to 100 km/h, faster through the slalom, more maneuverable in parking lots, not to mention more lavishly equipped at the top end.
Hmmm... but sophisticated premium buyers don't care much for such performance
 |
| Mark Igo, Infiniti vice president and general manager, said that this year's addition of its M35/45 allows an upscale move for the Q45. (Infiniti Canada) |
So how does Infiniti raise its game in order to lure more premium buyers into its fold? There's no easy answer to this one, but one senior executive within the company believes its flagship sedan should go up-market. In an interview with Edmunds.com's Inside Line, Mark Igo, Infiniti vice president and general manager, said that this year's addition of its M35/45 allows an upscale move for the Q45.
"The Q has a loyal base, but the sales are very small. As we grow the M business, we want to take it to the next phase for that type of buyer," he commented.
