Infiniti marketing director 'talkin smack' about Mercedes-Benz?

In the current issue of Automotive news, Infiniti marketing head Scott Fessenden threw a little flamer at Mercedes-Benz, as he was describing the latest Infiniti 'Search for identity' marketing campaign.

In the article he said in the past tense:

'Mercedes stood for the pinnacle of engineering'.

Here is the paragraph in context...

"BMW stands for performance, the 'ultimate driving machine,'" Fessenden says. "Lexus owns quality and reliability and underscores that with their tag line, 'the passionate pursuit of perfection.' Mercedes stood for the pinnacle of engineering. So with design, we're at a very honest place for us to live."

Is he right about Mercedes-Benz and does Infiniti truly stand for great design?

Full article here

Matthew1 - 3/21/2006 8:49:33 PM

+1 Boost

Infiniti doesn't stand for design, their efforts are mediocre at best.

Certainly in the luxury segment, BMW has been the leader in contemporary design, whether or not you like the new designs is irrelevant. So design and driving dynamics belong to BMW.

Looking at his statement in context, I find it hard to pinpoint qualities and attributes which belong to only certain marques.

I think Mercedes-Benz has stepped up their game with the new S-Class, and puts them right up the top with engineering excellence. Reviews of the car have commended its amazing comfort and cruising ability, but with dynamic handling to boot. A jack of all trades, you might say.

Infiniti will never be a design leader. Many of their cars are poorly resolved and not as timeless as the Europeans.

AlexFX - 3/22/2006 2:00:35 PM

+1 Boost

I think we are all rushing judgement juuust a little bit. The FX and G were two company defining vehicles. Then came along the new M. Infiniti has only tasted real success in the last four years. I don't think they should be getting cocky just yet. However this new G(37?) could turn even more heads.

That said just why did those vehicles sell so well? Everyone has their own opinion and I'm certainly no expert, but I think exterior design had quite alot to do with sales. The G definitely didn't sell for its interior (almost all of us can agree on that) but it did sell on great ext. design and stout V6 power. Same with the FX. As a consumer you either love or hate the look of the FX and that's what Infiniti was going for. The M has been Infiniti's best go yet and has won awards in several trade publications, online e-zine's, and other critics. Don't quote me on this, but I do believe one such award was best luxury sedan. Beating out BMW, Audi, Lexus, Acura and others. The M is a success in design (ext. and int.), tech., power, etc.

I don't know if Mercedes-Benz is still the pinnacle of engineering. Ask someone who happily owns one or works for them and they will tell you that MB is still on top. As far as Infiniti goes...I think that it's a good marketing plan and they currently have some great looking vehicles. However consumers are fickle and finicky so trying to gain market share in this manner could be difficult.

Matthew1 - 3/23/2006 1:19:36 AM

+1 Boost

I'm not trying to impress you.

Anyone who labels European cars junkers isn't worth impressing.

I think the only brown, smelly substance on this website is coming from you.

Hopefully in real life you are not as vulgar as the tail-lights on the Infiniti M35.

JUGNU - 3/23/2006 6:10:18 AM

+1 Boost

Ahh Matthew,Japo hater,just ignore him.The best way to answer him is not to anser at all.

SPIES: "Is he right about Mercedes-Benz and does Infiniti truly stand for great design?"

My answer is yes.Yes they r.

If u look at there complete Line-up u will not find a single boring or ugly/bulky or under performing model, infact they r extra ordinarly designed.
Look at FX,G,M,Q
they all r great designs and also very performing.

And Will how can we even say they r not the consistent brand as far as design.

Almost all there cars are in there first generation.
There is no previous generation FX,QX,G.
Only Q and M are in there second generation.

I think they r the most consistent brand as far as design and performance.
only in the first and second generation they r so much ahead to many in design,luxury,features,quality,performance....etc

And for that matter,u can also have a look at their latest concept.Look at it's infinite design.Through this concept Infiniti is giving a message to all that how much they r focusing on design perticularly.And their forthcoming models will display a very very ahead of time,rich in design models.

They have done and achieved tremendously in a short period of 17 years.
Reputation,sales,profits,performance,masters in design,competing the champions in their respective categories.

JUGNU---->THE CARMAN

JUGNU - 3/23/2006 6:10:18 AM

+1 Boost