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It will be five years before Nissan Australia is ready for a second shot at the top end of the local car business.
It's working hard on a plan to re-establish the Infiniti brand as it pushes its prestige arm into Europe off the back of success in the US, but admits there is no firm deal.
“I wouldn't say it's definitely happening,” Nissan Australia marketing general manager Ross Booth says.
Infiniti is launching a European attack in 19 countries, including Britain. There's a range of models, from the compact EX to the G coupe and sedan, luxury M sedan and heavyweight QX four-wheel-drive.
“The UK is the first right-hand-drive market, in March 2009. It's a global push now,” Booth says.
But he isn't convinced of the need for Infiniti, or the right timing. The brand came to Australia in 1980 at a time when Japanese makers were moving quickly into extra luxury channels, including Lexus for Toyota, Amati and Eunos for Mazda and Acura for Honda.
The only Infiniti model sold here was the portly Q45, which failed alongside the working-class Nissan models. The brand was withdrawn after less than three years.
But Lexus starred for Toyota, Acura has done well for Honda, and Infiniti is doing a good job in the US with vehicles which are surprisingly good to drive and also good value.
This time around, Booth believes Infiniti can work . . . but only with the right package of products, price and performance.
“We will do it only if I'm sure it will be successful. It has to be done properly. It's a matter of launching at the right time in the right market with the right dealer network. There is no immediate plan,” he says.
Even so, he is taking a keen interest.
“The model is about the customer experience and making sure they are looked after properly. It's not just about whacking up a dealership. We'd have to establish a dealer network that would meet the high demands of customers in that segment.”
Booth also believes Infiniti must have the right products, and not just high-powered petrol engines.
“At this stage for Infiniti, there are no diesel vehicles. In Australia, the requirement is for a diesel variant from launch.”
So, when will Infiniti be coming?
“Not any time soon. Five years sounds like a long time, but that's the sort of time frame you have to be talking about,” Booth says.
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