HONG KONG / TOCHIGI, Japan – Production of the all-new INFINITI Q60 sports coupe has started at the company's manufacturing facility in Tochigi, Japan. Designed and engineered to perform, the Q60 offers a compelling combination of daring design, exhilarating performance and dynamics.
The Tochigi plant has been producing INFINITI vehicles since the brand was launched in 1989. The launch of the new INFINITI Q60 heralds the start of a new chapter in the plant's history. To meet the requirements of the new model, a series of upgrades have been made to the production line, and innovative manufacturing processes have been introduced.
Upgrades to production lines
Industry-leading advances in manufacturing enabled INFINITI designers to draw the sharp angles and body lines that are characteristic of the Q60. The stamping and assembly lines feature key improvements, notably through the adoption of a unique deep-body stamping technology and new tooling machinery for the model's unique resin trunk lid. To further enhance quality control, a new lighting system for the inspection process and a camera and video system on the assembly line have been introduced. Manufacturing, design and engineering teams worked very closely together to ensure that the unique trunk lid feature for Q60 can be realized with the highest quality at the Tochigi plant. In a world's first application, this trunk lid is a hybrid combination of a resin skin on a steel frame. It gives INFINITI designers more freedom to develop shapes that can then be built in a single part.
Embed this image on a website using the embed code here.
Dedicated paint booth for "Dynamic Sunstone Red"
One major enhancement to the Tochigi facility is a new dedicated paint booth, which has been installed solely to allow production of Q60's new "Dynamic Sunstone Red" paint finish. The glossy, deep red finish requires a new painting set-up, using a combination of machinery and manual processes developed by INFINITI's most senior coating experts.
The new paint booth enables workers in the Tochigi paint shop to more finely control paint thickness and quality, and the newly-developed "Dynamic Sunstone Red" paint process is the result of testing several hundred variations of paint formulations and application methods.
Takumi and Kaizen
Tochigi's 216 highly skilled Takumi (master craftsmen) were picked from the plant's 4,500-strong workforce to work on the INFINITI production line. INFINITI's Takumi not only possess a particularly high level of technical knowledge, they are specially trained in premium vehicle manufacturing and have been chosen for their deep understanding of INFINITI and its core values. True to the Japanese philosophy of Kaizen – that of continuous improvement – Takumi undergo constant and intensive training to learn new techniques and skills.
Takumi work across every section of the Q60's production line including stamping, body shop, paint, assembly and quality assurance.
From the Takumi employed to work on INFINITI production, a further six Meister Takumi are selected – those with the highest understanding of premium car production and the desires and expectations of INFINITI's customers. Overseeing every aspect of INFINITI production at Tochigi, Meister Takumi ensure the manufacturing processes at the plant are fully attuned with the unique blend of attributes that differentiate INFINITI's products.
For further media information, including extended press information and images on Q60, please visit INFINITIQ60News.com.
Related Story: Kit Harington takes the new INFINITI Q60 for an empowered drive in his debut brand film, 'Tyger'
About INFINITI
INFINITI Motor Company Ltd. is headquartered in Hong Kong with sales operations in over 50 countries. The INFINITI brand was launched in 1989. Its range of premium automobiles is currently built in manufacturing facilities in Japan, the United States, United Kingdom and China. INFINITI plans to also expand manufacturing into Mexico by 2017.
INFINITI design studios are located in Atsugi-Shi near Yokohama, London, San Diego and Beijing.
INFINITI is in the middle of a major product offensive. The brand has been widely acclaimed for its daring design and innovative driver-assistance technologies.
From the 2016 season, INFINITI is a technical partner of the Renault Sport Formula One team, contributing its expertise in hybrid performance.
More information about INFINITI, its Total Ownership Experience® and its industry leading technologies can be found at INFINITIUSA.com. For the latest news on INFINITI, visit INFINITINews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and see all our latest videos on YouTube.
# # #
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
