What Do You Think? Infiniti Says All It Needs Is A Halo Car To Be A Tier-1 Luxury Marque

Nope not really it needs international appeal, design, and engineering presence!

It will take more than a halo model to be taken seriously. Everything they have screams both freakshow and nissan. I dont see them ever moving beyond tier 3, unless they learn to separate themselves from parent company and learn the meaning of 'refinement.'

nissian can get away with offbeat designs but infinit needs more mainstream looks for a few cars.

tier 3? That says a lot...

Not sure..... Lexus and Mercedes have halo cars like that of tier 2 Porsche, but they are still ranked tier 3 together w/ BMW and AUDI, So why should Infiniti?

"Everything they have screams freakshow." Now that's a productive comment. In what way do Infiniti vehicles scream freakshow?

I agree that Infiniti has a long way to go to rival BMW and Mercedes in interior refinement and reputation, but both BMW and Mercedes have long histories of development and prestige. Infiniti, however, began in 1989 and just about went under ten years later. The progress they have made since then is remarkable.

I think Infiniti presents itself as a value luxury brand just like Acura and even Lexus. While Lexus rivals BMW/MB in sales, it too is a young brand. As far as Infiniti lacking "design and engineering presence," i think that statement is unwarranted and lacking truth.

IMO, if Infiniti ever wants to compete and be held in as high regards as a Tier 1 Luxury Marque, it has to ditch the "value luxury" as you had mentioned. Any time you add or have customers perceive your brand as "value", it drops the image of the brand.

New QX, Latest FX. EX.

Enough examples?

Plus their biggest flaw is incredibly miserable real world mileage compared to the competition.

001

BTW, in defense of the QX...It's a WHALE of an SUV! ;)

001

Hmm, what it Infiniti needs is 3 models. A flagship sedan to compete with the LS, S, 7, and A8. A super sport sedan to compete with the Panamera, etc.. and a GTR version that's lighter, more powerful and exotic.

Agreed. Infiniti does need more products in their lineup.

But when many of your current luxury vehicles are basically luxury versions of the mainstream models sold by a non-luxury sister brand, it's hard to be considered Tier 1. See Cadillac, Lincoln, Acura...heck, even Audi still struggles (on some level) to maintain its peristance that it is a true luxury brand now.

I like Infiniti and the fact that they aren't at the top. This leaves a lot of room to grow, improve, innovate without the nagging disruptions about maintaining some sort of lead.

On the other hand, Infiniti should look at where the holes are in their lineup and fill them. The new QX is an excellent full-size luxury SUV, but they to throw all that tech into a midsize and small SUV --- get rid of the current EX. A smaller FX-like exterior on a lower-riding version of their shared platform just isn't working out that well. The brand does need a good midsize SUV that will appeal to a broad range of consumers and a fullsize luxury sedan that's heavy on luxury & less sporty --- think serious luxury like an S-class or LS.

They make some nice cars, but they need a minimum 3 more models, (large premium sedan, high-end sports division, and premium small coupe/convertable)

I think they need two models, an all new Q flagship and a GT-R based Panamera and CLS competitor. And an awesome starting point would be that Essence concept.

It take's a couple of BILLION to develop a world class sedan. They can't take that chance if it doesn't sell they sink......

Nissan is definitely the leader (Japanese) when it come to style and innovative design. Hard and sharp lines i.e. Cadilac others will be passe very very soon. I think they are on the right track.

They already have a halo car in the Essence concept, they just need to make it already! That thing would dominate.

Infiniti need to make their core models more 'Normal' looking. Models like QX, FX, EX and even new Infiniti M have very strong designs. Only G appeals to majority of the people, other designs are love it or hate it kind.
I personally love how FX and M looks but can understand equal number of people will not like the unique and unusual designs.

One example is BMW 5 Series. We have seen how BMW have made the new 5 series more conservative and normal looking again after the unusual love it or hate it design of previous 5 series designed by Chris Bangle.
I strongly believe if previous 5 series had any other badge than BMW(or Mercedes) it would have been a very hard sell anywhere. But even mighty BMW have understood that such designs are risky and therefore taken lot less risk with new F10 5 series.

So a halo model like LFA or R8, A3/1 series/CT200h competitor and more normal/mature looking core models would boost Infiniti's sales IMO. They already make great interiors, engines and sporty cars.

JUGNU

There are some darn good ideas in this thread. I mean it.

The statement "Infiniti vehicles are basically luxury versions of the mainstream models sold by a non-luxury sister brand," is absolutely ludicrous.

The Infiniti lineup is all RWD with different platforms than it's sister brand. The only Nissan/Infiniti vehicle to share platforms is the 370Z/G37.

As far as Infiniti being a value-luxury brand: The word "value" is not synonymous with the word "cheap." When compared to the likes of BMW or MB, Infiniti offers well-engineered, comparable vehicles for thousands less.

If anything, it makes consumers question why they are paying $5k and sometimes $10k more for a nameplate. If the G37 was the same price as a decked-out 335, for example, consumers would choose BMW for the name (and snob appeal).

Instead, Infiniti is able to hold it's own because it continues to offer a great lineup of vehicles that offer more "bang-for-your-buck." Take, for example, the fact that a $60k E-class doesn't have standard HID's when much--if not all--of Infiniti's lineup does.

If anything, Infiniti needs to refocus it's attention on designing cars that are less polarizing and more timeless. Vehicles like the FX, for example, lose in sales compared to their predecessors because of the polarizing design.

Lastly, if you read the article posted by autospies, Infiniti needs to make sure the market is ready for a flagship model like a 7-series fighter or Essence concept. IMO, I think Infiniti has a few more years of to build reputation and refinement before people are ready to pay $75k+ for one.

In the meantime, Infiniti surpassed Audi in sales for 2010 and absolutely kills Acura in terms of engineering and design. I agree that Infiniti as a second-tier luxury brand leaves great room for improvement and continues to drive competition.

I like most of Infiniti's models, but a halo car is not needed, but I sure want one, especially if it's based on a GT-R powertrain!

Infiniti could use a small, 3-Series/A4/C-class competitor and a performance line.

doesn't understand how VW luxury division is not a Tier 1?

Agreed. Infiniti definitely need a flagship luxury sedan to wrap up its NA line. The M45 is not the candidate though it is elegant and nimble, its status is more suited for an acting lieutenant. With their current successful G-Class and FX-Class, they do need one 4-door sedan to compete or surpass Lexus. Parent company Nissan do have the technology clout to make that happen given its GT-R presence. Way back, Infiniti's had great Q45's, only to see it succumbed to Lexus' LS400 stardom over time. Now is the perfect time to reenter the arena and bout for the title again.