LONDON – INFINITI opened its new automotive design facility in London today.
With a mission to make cars look and feel romantic again, INFINITI Design London, based in the iconic Battleship Building at Paddington Basin, is the first of a network of global design studios for the company as it gears up for a new-model offensive over the next five years, including an all-new model to be manufactured in the UK. INFINITI plans to expand its premium model range by 60 percent by the end of the decade.
"Design is a key driver as we continue to sharpen the INFINITI brand," said Francois Goupil de Bouillé, INFINITI vice president for Europe, Middle East and Africa. "Our passion for design will deliver a broad range of very distinct premium vehicles. The expansion of our product portfolio is at the core of our growth plan."
With INFINITI Design London fully open, the facility will be able to design and make full-size clay models. It is one of very few full-capability automotive design centers around the world to have a city centre location.
The studio occupies space within the Battleship Building, so-called because of the way its superstructure rears up above the surrounding area and the close-by Westway road. The building was completed in 1969 as a maintenance depot for British Rail and is listed as being of historical importance.
"With the expansion of the portfolio, INFINITI design will keep evolving," said Shiro Nakamura, chief creative officer of INFINITI and senior vice president of Nissan Motor Corporation. "Having dedicated studios is essential to deepen INFINITI design. This is the first step of a global initiative to purify and reinforce the distinctiveness of INFINITI design. The next steps are to open INFINITI design studios in Beijing and San Diego as well shortly."
At the studio’s opening ceremony, INFINITI executive design director Alfonso Albaisa said: "INFINITI has always been about passion – for design, performance and craftsmanship. With our new generation models, we want to express all that passion plus a new romanticism, and London is a great place to find the inspiration for it. London buzzes with youthful excitement. We are here to pick up that buzz and tailor premium products so they deliver a European take on INFINITI."
Car enthusiasts will be able to judge that for themselves in two weeks when INFINITI’s new concept car has its world premiere at the Paris Motor Show on October 2. Designed at the London facility, the concept – called Q80 Inspiration – previews a new top-of-the-range model for INFINITI.
Already more than 10 new INFINITI models have been designed in INFINITI’s design studios around the world in the past 18 months. Concept versions of the new "romantic" models will start to appear at upcoming international motor shows.
INFINITI Design London joins other INFINITI facilities in the UK including an engineering center at Cranfield and an assembly plant in Sunderland, which next year will begin the first INFINITI production in Europe.
The design studio employs many nationalities including Belgian, Croatian, German, Korean, Russian and Welsh, among its staff of designers, modelers and color and trim specialists.
About INFINITI
INFINITI Motor Company Ltd. is headquartered in Hong Kong with sales operations in approximately 50 countries. The INFINITI brand was launched in 1989. Its range of premium automobiles is currently built in manufacturing facilities in Japan and the United States. Production in China and Europe will start soon along with the expansion of the brand’s portfolio.
As the Title Partner and Vehicle Performance Partner of INFINITI Red Bull Racing, INFINITI has a far-reaching technical collaboration with the Formula One team, and Sebastian Vettel, its four-time World Champion driver, serves as INFINITI’s Director of Performance.
More information about INFINITI, its Total Ownership Experience® and its industry leading technologies can be found at www.infiniti.com. For the latest news on INFINITI, visit INFINITINews.com, "like" INFINITI on Facebook or follow the brand on Twitter @INFINITIUSA. For interesting content on INFINITI in Formula One visit: www.infiniti-gp.com, www.youtube.com/INFINITIGP or follow on Twitter @INFINITIGP.
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Contacts:
For INFINITI U.S. Communications, contact:
Nick Twork
Director Corporate Communications
INFINITI Americas
(615) 725-4038
nick.twork@infiniti.com
Kyle Bazemore
Senior Manager
INFINITI USA Communications
(615) 725-3210
kyle.bazemore@infiniti.com
Alexandra Amelang
Senior Specialist
INFINITI USA Communications
(615) 725-1455
alexandra.amelang@infiniti.com
For INFINITI Global Communications, contact:
Matthew Davis
Director, INFINITI Global Communications
INFINITI Motor Company Ltd., Hong Kong
Phone: +852 3948 0217
Mobile: +852 9542 1711
Email: matthew.davis@infiniti.com
Jon Walsh
Senior Manager, INFINITI Global Communications
INFINITI Motor Company Ltd., Hong Kong
Phone: +852 3948 0129
Mobile: +852 9447 9705
Email: jon.walsh@infiniti.com
