- All-time high results globally and in many individual markets
- Expanded product portfolio and powertrain options
- Significantly growing global manufacturing footprint
Hong Kong – Infiniti had a record-breaking year with global sales of more than 186,200 vehicles, up 13.5% from the previous year. December 2014 was the best ever month in Infiniti’s history with almost 19,700 vehicles sold. This is a 7.5% increase compared to December a year ago. Overall, Infiniti reached all-time high results in 19 markets around the world in calendar year 2014.
“This result is a testament to Infiniti’s potential in the premium vehicle market worldwide and demonstrates the successful work done by the Infiniti team around the world,” said Roland Krueger, President and CEO of Infiniti Motor Company Limited. “I would like to take the opportunity to thank our customers for their continued trust in Infiniti. I also would like to thank the team for their relentless efforts to serve our customers and making these outstanding successes possible. This strong team and the outstanding products designed with engineering excellence form base for our future success. It is a privilege for me to lead this team going forward.”
With a year-over-year increase of approximately 1% and a total volume of 117,300 vehicles, the US continues to be the biggest and hence most important market for Infiniti. In China, Infiniti’s second largest single market, the company had another record year. In 2014, Infiniti sold more than 30,000 vehicles, an increase of 75.6% over 2013. This made Infiniti the fastest growing premium brand in the industry for the year. In September, the Dongfeng Infiniti Motor Co., Ltd., was established as a local joint venture to further grow Infiniti’s business in China. In November, Infiniti started local production in the Xiangyang Plant in Wuhan province to bring products closer to Chinese consumers. The brand’s dealer network in China has expanded from 66 in 2013 to 85 in 2014. Further network growth is expected in the years to come.
Infiniti became one of the fastest growing premium brands in a number of key regions and markets in 2014 including West Europe, Middle East and Mexico. In the highly competitive Western Europe region, Infiniti almost doubled its sales. Approximately 4,800 vehicles represent an increase of 95.8%, marking an all-time high record. In Middle East and Mexico, the brand sold approximately 7,100 and 1,500 vehicles in 2014, a 25.6% and 49.1% increase over 2013 respectively. In the Asia and Oceania region where Infiniti’s emerging markets are, Infiniti also virtually doubled its sales volume: 95.2% increase and more than 4,600 vehicles sold represent another all-time high. In Canada, Infiniti for the first time ever sold more than 10,000 vehicles in a single year.
A strong product lineup remains at the core of the sales growth. The Q50 sports sedan was introduced in many markets around the world in 2014 and became the company’s top-selling product. It won many accolades from respected organizations globally particularly in the area of innovative technologies. Infiniti also introduced upgraded Q70 and QX80 models at the New York Auto Show in April followed by the long-wheelbase versions of Q50 and QX50 in China in fall. Powertrain options were extended with the addition of a turbocharged two-liter petrol engine for the Q50. In 2015, Q30, Infiniti’s premium compact entry for global markets, will be launched and become Infiniti’s first vehicle built in Europe.
At the 2015 North American Auto Show in Detroit in early January, Infiniti will introduce its Q60 Concept, the company’s take on a captivating two-door premium sports coupe.
Infiniti’s sales and portfolio growth is mirrored by a significant expansion of its global manufacturing footprint. The brand started local production in China with the Q50L in November 2014 and will begin to build the Q30 in the UK in 2015. It also started engine production at the Infiniti Powertrain Plant in Decherd, Tennessee, in the U.S. in June last year. With the plan to start production in Mexico in 2017, Infiniti will extend its manufacturing footprint to five countries on three continents in the next few years.
“Infiniti has achieved a series of milestones in 2014,” said Krueger. “It sets an excellent foundation for 2015 as we continue to transform Infiniti into a global premium automotive brand.”