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Infiniti SUVs, G35 are hot; big sedans wither on vine

Not surprising that the I35 is falling to the wayside. The sales of the M45 and Q45 are definitely poor, but it seems Infiniti is content with that for now because their other models are doing well and they are using relatively few incentives.
 
Go Infinti!!!

I still don't understand why the new Q45 isn't selling well. I think its a great vehicle, and the fact that it is much cheaper than the competition while offering more conviences should be make it a hot seller. It looks damn better than most of the competition as well. If Infiniti had marketed this car properly, it could have been a hot seller.

And its initial short comings have all been fixed with reprogrammed transmission control unit, lower final drive ratio, and cool items like climate controlled seats.
 
I really like the M and Q45.... the president of the company here got rid of his Caddy and got a 2004 Q45... SO NICE... i love that car.
 
Originally posted by: rbloedow
Maybe if they priced the M and Q more agressivly, they could gather more sales. 😕
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Well, of course they'd sell more if they lowered the price. But the current prices already undercut the competition, so I don't think that's the problem.

Personally, I think Infiniti still needs a little time to increase the prestige of its brand. I think that's why the execs don't seem to be all that worried about the slow sales, because the G35 and FX45 are taking the nameplate in the right direction.

Most people don't put Infiniti in the same category as BMW, MB, Jaguar, Lexus, etc.
And prestige is what it takes to sell these super-luxury sedans.
 
Nissan/Infinity have got to be some of the hottest car companies around in the last couple years. Altima, Maxima (new one = puke, but its pretty quick!), Murano, Z, G35, FX45, and the list goes on...

Tony
 
The Q and M just aren't inspiring enough to convince someone to buy them over the competition. Mercedes has luxury and prestige, BMW has their optimal balance between luxury and sport, and Lexus has service and reliability as with a healthy dose of luxury. The Q and M have power - and that's it. And for the audiences they are marketed to (mostly older folks), power alone is not enough to overcome that kind of stiff competition.
 
Originally posted by: Mani
The Q and M just aren't inspiring enough to convince someone to buy them over the competition. Mercedes has luxury and prestige, BMW has their optimal balance between luxury and sport, and Lexus has service and reliability as with a healthy dose of luxury. The Q and M have power - and that's it. And for the audiences they are marketed to (mostly older folks), power alone is not enough to overcome that kind of stiff competition.
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I think they have more than just power. Infiniti is very close to Lexus in initial quality and reliability studies, and their dealership network is very well-regarded (again, right at the top in customer satisfaction studies).

I also think that the Q is a very luxurious vehicle. I was in one at the auto show and I felt the interior (layout, materials, technology) compared favorably to my boss' new E-Class.

However, you're right, neither car is "inspiring". They're both rather bland-looking at best, and they don't do anything in particular better than the competition.

I still think the Infiniti badge just does not have the cachet to really drive sedan sales in that price range. The FX45 is selling well despite the high price, but that is a very unique vehicle, whereas the Q and M kind of "blend in".
 
Originally posted by: BigSmooth
Originally posted by: Mani
The Q and M just aren't inspiring enough to convince someone to buy them over the competition. Mercedes has luxury and prestige, BMW has their optimal balance between luxury and sport, and Lexus has service and reliability as with a healthy dose of luxury. The Q and M have power - and that's it. And for the audiences they are marketed to (mostly older folks), power alone is not enough to overcome that kind of stiff competition.
Click to expand...
I think they have more than just power. Infiniti is very close to Lexus in initial quality and reliability studies, and their dealership network is very well-regarded (again, right at the top in customer satisfaction studies).

I also think that the Q is a very luxurious vehicle. I was in one at the auto show and I felt the interior (layout, materials, technology) compared favorably to my boss' new E-Class.

However, you're right, neither car is "inspiring". They're both rather bland-looking at best, and they don't do anything in particular better than the competition.

I still think the Infiniti badge just does not have the cachet to really drive sedan sales in that price range. The FX45 is selling well despite the high price, but that is a very unique vehicle, whereas the Q and M kind of "blend in".
Click to expand...

They definitely have more than power - but they are not standouts in anything else. Their initial and long-term reliability are great, but do not stand out. THeir service is excellent (both in ratings and in my personal experience) but they are not known for their service. It's a premium nameplate, but not a prestigious nameplate. The G35 and FX have the personality and charisma to overcome Infiniti's relative obscurity, but the M and Q are not different or exciting enough to win buyers over. And that's where they fail.

What I think they could do to inject some sales into them somewhat is restyle them - neither are exceptionally styled as they are. I've heard the M frequently compared to the freaking Chevy Impala, and the current Q looks like a big ol' Japanese car. Once they have a good industrial design, they could tweak the balancing, get their handling in line with the Germans and they will compete much better.
 
Originally posted by: Mani
Originally posted by: BigSmooth
Originally posted by: Mani
The Q and M just aren't inspiring enough to convince someone to buy them over the competition. Mercedes has luxury and prestige, BMW has their optimal balance between luxury and sport, and Lexus has service and reliability as with a healthy dose of luxury. The Q and M have power - and that's it. And for the audiences they are marketed to (mostly older folks), power alone is not enough to overcome that kind of stiff competition.
Click to expand...
I think they have more than just power. Infiniti is very close to Lexus in initial quality and reliability studies, and their dealership network is very well-regarded (again, right at the top in customer satisfaction studies).

I also think that the Q is a very luxurious vehicle. I was in one at the auto show and I felt the interior (layout, materials, technology) compared favorably to my boss' new E-Class.

However, you're right, neither car is "inspiring". They're both rather bland-looking at best, and they don't do anything in particular better than the competition.

I still think the Infiniti badge just does not have the cachet to really drive sedan sales in that price range. The FX45 is selling well despite the high price, but that is a very unique vehicle, whereas the Q and M kind of "blend in".
Click to expand...

They definitely have more than power - but they are not standouts in anything else. Their initial and long-term reliability are great, but do not stand out. THeir service is excellent (both in ratings and in my personal experience) but they are not known for their service. It's a premium nameplate, but not a prestigious nameplate. The G35 and FX have the personality and charisma to overcome Infiniti's relative obscurity, but the M and Q are not different or exciting enough to win buyers over. And that's where they fail.

What I think they could do to inject some sales into them somewhat is restyle them - neither are exceptionally styled as they are. I've heard the M frequently compared to the freaking Chevy Impala, and the current Q looks like a big ol' Japanese car. Once they have a good industrial design, they could tweak the balancing, get their handling in line with the Germans and they will compete much better.
Click to expand...
Agreed. I see the M45 called the "Japanese Buick" all the time. I don't particularly like the styling of either car.

And even though Infiniti is not that prestigious right now, they have definitely improved their standing lately with the new wave of cars. As little as 5 years ago they were barely part of the discussion, with some good cars but a number of forgettable rebadges. They have definitely improved their fleet and increased their brand recognition recently.

They're still kind of on that "second tier" of luxury brands but I think they have some excellent products that are nudging them higher and higher.

 
i saw an FX for the first time in real life today. i practically had an accident because the sheer ulginess overcame my ability to drive. they look ok in pictures, but god, in person, they look like a $40,000 mistake.
 
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