NEW YORK – With INFINITI's new South Africa-born president, the brand's new headquarters in Hong Kong, a string of newly appointed global department heads, and a growing model lineup, INFINITI is defining its place in the global premium auto category.
INFINITI's global sales increased 17 percent last year. The brand is now in nearly 50 countries. And INFINITI's President Johan de Nysschen says his group plans to nearly double the number of vehicles in their lineup in the next few years.
The brand used the New York International Auto Show to announce pricing for the newly released INFINITI Q50. It's set to go on sale in the U.S. in early July at a starting price of $36,450. That's for the rear-wheel drive with the 3.7 liter V6. It's about $900 less than its earlier model. And customers can order the new Q50 online now.
"We are bringing new technologies in response to market demands at better prices, so it is a tribute to our engineers and we want to leverage that in a fashion that gives us a competitive advantage in the marketplace," said de Nysschen.
INFINITI also showed off the never-before seen hybrid QX60 set to go on sale this summer. Its fuel economy is 24 percent improved. That makes it the most fuel-efficient 7-passenger vehicle in the premium segment.
And, to cap off the brand's dedication to the driving experience, Sebastian Vettel, INFINITI Red Bull Racing driver and triple Formula One World Champion, was announced at the show to become INFINITI's director of performance.
"He's charged with a responsibility of making sure that the cars drive and behave dynamically in a way that's appropriate for INFINITI," said de Nysschen.
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