FRANKFURT, Germany - The INFINITI Q30 Concept, which made its world debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show this week, received a special visit from the UK's Business Minister Michael Fallon who confessed: "You only have to take one look at the car to see this is a car that leaps out at you. I love it. "
Speaking on the INFINITI stand in Frankfurt after inspecting the Q30 Concept, the minister said the decision to build the new premium model in the UK represented "an extraordinary vote of confidence in Sunderland, the North East and the British car industry."
The minister, from the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills, said the move was an important new chapter in British motor manufacturing 30 years after the plant - one of the world's most efficient - was opened.
"We have seen even in the downturn a remarkable shift up the value chain with people buying more premium cars. I am just delighted the car will get built in Sunderland.
"The British car industry is enjoying the most extraordinary renaissance with the most flexible workforce, a much greater degree of innovation and research and development, and a very strong partnership between industry and government that bodes well for the future.
"Eighty percent of the vehicles made in Britain are exported. We are not just making cars; we are making money from making cars. It is good for our balance of trade and good for the future so we can attract more youngsters into the automotive industry. People are building careers and lives through the investment (INFINITI) is making."
Fintan Knight, Vice President at INFINITI, said that the Q30 Concept is a provocative and attractive urban sports design well suited to Europe and the UK and we are happy that it expands our commitment to the UK, which now includes a new design center in Paddington, the INFINITI Red Bull Racing team based in Milton Keynes and an elite technical team in Cranfield.
"Our new concept has clearly struck a distinctive chord with people," said Knight. "It is another tangible sign, after the new Q50, that a truly dynamic global premium brand vision is emerging. As the Business Minister said, it's a car that leaps out at you. And it does so with all the passion, provocation and innovation people expect of INFINITI."
About INFINITI in Europe
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 triple 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 http://www.infinitieurope.com/. For the latest news on INFINITI, visit http://www.infinitipress.eu, "like" INFINITI on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/infinitieurope or follow the brand on Twitter https://twitter.com/INFINITIEurope
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CONTACT:
INFINITI NORTH EUROPE
Terry Steeden
INFINITI Communications Manager
Mobile: +44 (0)7796 938516
Email: terry.steeden@infiniti.eu
