Infiniti, on the other hand, has done extremely well with its comparative M, and has swept the bottom end of its model lineup, cleaning up on Lexus when
G35 sales are compared to the IS 300. While Lexus also sells the ES 330, it appeals to a different kind of buyer than Infiniti's G. Infiniti used to target this audience with its I35, but chose to leave this buyer to its Nissan Maxima instead, which was upgraded the same year that the I35 was dropped.
If Infiniti can perform the same magic it has with the G35, FX35/45 and new M35/45 on the upcoming Q45 replacement, it just might get on the odd premium buyer's shopping list. And while a successful flagship model will never rival the G35's sales numbers, the profit Infiniti makes on each model could make up for it. For the time being, mind you, every Q45 Infiniti sells is at a loss, and the bleeding needs to stop soon.
Hopefully Infiniti is rethinking its full-size luxury sedan philosophy, and bringing something entirely new to market in the not too distant future. And that
car needs to be better than anything else currently available. More attractive, more luxurious, more technologically advanced, and more powerful with better driving dynamics than Audi, BMW, Jaguar, Lexus or Mercedes-Benz. It'll take that much to get it on the radar screens of premium buyers. And if the brand's designers, engineers and product planners succeed, Infiniti's flagship woes will be a distant memory and the brand as a whole will move up a notch or two in desirability, improving sales throughout the lineup, as well as all-important unit profitability.
Then Mr. Igo can contemplate new V8-powered models, such as a rear-drive sports coupe/convertible, mid-engine sports car or four-door coupe. Such is the power of a successful flagship. Get it right, and the trickle down effect makes the entire brand worth buying into.
Infiniti certainly doesn't need an entirely new model above the Q45, nor does it need to change the next-generation model's name. What the luxury division needs is the best car in the full-size premium segment, and no matter what name the new model gets, it will do well.
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| While offering the most advanced headlights on the planet they were also the largest in the industry, and along with the model's curvaceous sheetmetal they made the car appear rather odd. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
If Infiniti can perform the same magic it has with the G35, FX35/45 and new M35/45 on the upcoming Q45 replacement, it just might get on the odd premium buyer's shopping list. And while a successful flagship model will never rival the G35's sales numbers, the profit Infiniti makes on each model could make up for it. For the time being, mind you, every Q45 Infiniti sells is at a loss, and the bleeding needs to stop soon.
Hopefully Infiniti is rethinking its full-size luxury sedan philosophy, and bringing something entirely new to market in the not too distant future. And that
 |
| Hopefully Infiniti is rethinking its full-size luxury sedan philosophy, and bringing something entirely new to market in the not too distant future. And that car needs to be better than anything else currently available. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
Then Mr. Igo can contemplate new V8-powered models, such as a rear-drive sports coupe/convertible, mid-engine sports car or four-door coupe. Such is the power of a successful flagship. Get it right, and the trickle down effect makes the entire brand worth buying into.
Infiniti certainly doesn't need an entirely new model above the Q45, nor does it need to change the next-generation model's name. What the luxury division needs is the best car in the full-size premium segment, and no matter what name the new model gets, it will do well.
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