Infiniti has joined the pantheon of US-based automakers which have pledged to transition mostly to electric powertrains by 2030. In its video, Infiniti also hinted that it will be also be leveraging hybrid powertrains, “we will not let the size of our battery alone define us, but rather, empower customers to choose the power source that fits their lifestyle,” said the company in its video.
In the video, Infiniti shows off three unnamed vehicles, one of which is a crossover, though it is not known that these cars have some flow over with Nissan’s out concept vehicles. Of course, Infiniti is owned by Nissan, which has for years pushed electric cars along with Renault.
The concept cars shown off are low-slung and even have a tachometer which means these are likely hybrid cars. Infiniti now joins the likes of many muscle and sports car brands that have pushed electric and hybrid powertrains. Recently, we have heard from the likes of Dodge which has also hinted that it will be going all-electric and will be retiring its iconic hellcat motors.
Infiniti will reveal a new sports sedan concept, based on an all-new flexible architecture developed specifically to accommodate electrified powertrains, at Auto Shanghai 2019. The concept offers a new perspective on the sports sedan and also previews a forthcoming electrified Infiniti production model. It’s called the Qs Inspiration concept and it draws inspiration from the company’s DNA.
With the Qs Inspiration, Infiniti confirms a new form of design language from Infiniti which we will see on its future electric cars. The Qs is inspired by the art and modern architecture of Japan. Inside, the minimalist cabin combines striking artistry and craftsmanship, and it features two distinct zones – a clutter-free cockpit designed to engage the driver, and a relaxed passenger zone that make the most of the generous interior space.
Christian Meunier, Chairman of Infiniti, comments, “Electrification creates a range of new possibilities for sedans, with new powertrains and vehicle architectures letting us imagine how this type of car could be reinvigorated and adapted to fit the changing needs and tastes of drivers.”
Japanese carmaker Nissan Motor Co. plans to transform its upscale Infiniti brand of vehicles into a primarily electrified offering, Chief Executive Hiroto Saikawa said on Tuesday.
All new Infiniti models launched from 2021 will be either electric or so-called “e-Power” hybrids, Saikawa told the Automotive News World Congress in Detroit.
The announcement revives plans for a luxury electric offering that Nissan first touted with a 2012 Infiniti show car, but later scrapped over profitability concerns. That left the road clear for Tesla’s (TSLA.O) Model S, introduced the same year.
“We are going to make Infiniti the premium and highly electrified brand,” Saikawa said on Tuesday.
Nissan and alliance partner Renault (RENA.PA) took an early lead in battery-powered cars with models such as the 2011 Leaf, still the world’s top-selling electric vehicle.
However, Tesla has hogged the limelight in recent years, while German carmakers are leading a $90 billion wave of investment in electric and plug-in hybrid cars.
Nissan dropped the earlier electric Infiniti program in mid-2014 over concerns it would threaten the financial goals in its “Power 88” mid-term plan, according to people involved in those discussions. The company ended up missing its 8 percent margin target anyway, in fiscal 2017.
Nissan is one of a number of Japanese carmakers seeking to jump-start a higher-end brand. Toyota (7203.T) is launching a revamped Lexus LS flagship, while Honda (7267.T) has been redesigning its Acura line in the hope of boosting sales.
In the United States, Infiniti’s sales rose 11.3 percent last year in a light vehicle market that was down 1.5 percent overall, while Acura deliveries fell by 3.9 percent and Lexus by 7.6 percent.
INFINITI Motor Company, Ltd. and Nest, a leading venture capital firm and innovation partner, concluded the nine-week INFINITI LAB Global Accelerator 3.0 today with a Demo Day. The seven startups, with two from Hong Kong and the remaining five from Canada, Germany, Mexico, Sweden and the US, pitched their business to more than 100 investors and key retail partners in hope of securing partnerships and funding to propel their businesses to the next phase. Among the investors and partners were retail companies DFS, Nielsen, Hysan, Shanghai Tang and Bluebell Group who attended to hear the startups’ plans to develop technologies that enhance the customer journey for ‘The Future Consumer’.
INFINITI LAB is a global program that works with startups around the world to address locally
relevant challenges. During the INFINITI LAB Global Accelerator 3.0, seven startups were chosen from more than 130 applications across the globe to participate in the program, including two from Hong Kong. During the nine-week program, each startup has been exposed to established investors in Asia, and benefited from an intensive business coaching and mentoring program.
Dane Fisher, General Manager, Global Business Transformation & Brand, INFINITI Motor Company
“At INFINITI we are constantly striving to innovate to deliver the most personal and rewarding
customer experience. As INFINITI LAB continues to grow globally, so does our opportunity to
develop great solutions for our customers and lead innovation in the mobility space. The INFINITI LAB 3.0 is not only helping us to find technology partners to develop the future retail experience, but also inspiring us to become a more agile organization”, said Dane Fisher, General Manager, Global Business Transformation & Brand, INFINITI Motor Company.
Lawrence Morgan, Nest CEO said,” We are extremely proud to be part of the founders’ entrepreneurial journeys. The unique strengths and solutions the cohort have will truly transform the retail tech landscape for the future consumer, today.”
The seven startups that successfully completed the Global Accelerator 3.0 were invited to INFINITI’s global headquarters from five different countries. Among the startups involved in the program were Rover Parking from Canada, invited to join following their involvement in the Toronto INFINITI LAB accelerator program earlier this year. Other startups include Wyzerr (USA), actiMirror (Hong Kong), ManoMotion (Sweden), Cove (Hong Kong), Synapbox (Mexico) and Thinqs (Germany).
As a result of this program, Thinqs has validated their online-to-offline search model in the Asian
marketplace, and have gained interest from a number of Hong Kong retailers. actiMirror and Rover Parking have secured investment funding connections, and Rover Parking is in discussion to partner with INFINITI to expand their parking network in Canada.
Cove is in negotiation with property development companies in Hong Kong to launch a pilot project together with INFINITI using INFINITI vehicles to provide a shared mobility solution; while both Synapbox and Wyzerr have already piloted their products within INFINITI and
have developed global service packages to attract wider corporate partnerships.
ManoMotion has partnered with V777, an INFINITI LAB 2.0 alumni startup to develop
a revolutionary prototype – combining advanced hand gesture recognition with Virtual Reality to
create a concept for the future of digital showrooms. V777 technology was used to launch INFINITI’s all new QX50 at the recent LA Motorshow. ManoMotion is also in discussion to explore longer term product collaboration with INFINITI.
INFINITI LAB Hong Kong 3.0_Startups
Ross Garvie, Head of INFINITI LAB said; “This year, focusing on “The Future Consumer” we worked with startups looking at data analytics, shared parking, AR displays, gesture recognition and facial recognition. Each startup was selected as they share INFINITI’s vision to improve the future of retail and enhance the customer journey”.
With a chance to boost retail innovation in Hong Kong, Infiniti Motor Company has partnered with venture capital firm Nest to launch Infiniti Lab Global Accelerator 3.0 under the theme “The Future Consumer”.
Infiniti has invited seven high-potential startups, two from Hong Kong and the others from Canada, Germany, Mexico, Sweden and the US, to its global headquarters to develop technologies to enhance the customer journey. The program will involve testing, evolving and refining their technologies to win over investors and industry leaders.
The Hong Kong startup ventures are ActiMirror and Cove.
“These exciting startups will have access to the Infiniti network of executives and ecosystem partners, and benefit from intensive business coaching and mentoring as well as exposure to established investors across Asia,” says Nest CEO Lawrence Morgan. “We have created a bespoke 10-week program for our startups and look forward to working with these high-potential businesses.”
Chance to pitch
Following the program will be Demo Day on December 13 at which the entrepreneurs will pitch their ideas to a panel of investors. They also have a chance to pitch their business cases to key decision makers from Infiniti and the Renault-Nissan Alliance.
“We are dedicated to supporting top entrepreneurial talent around the world and helping bring their ideas to life through comprehensive startup programs and world-class partnerships,” says Infiniti Motor Company GM for global business transformation Dane Fisher.
To launch the venture, Infiniti hosted a panel discussion about the future consumer and using emerging technologies to improve the customer experience. As well as Fisher, Visionaries 777 head of business development David Castaneda, Bluebell Group digital director Benoit Lavaud, and Red Ant Asia regional director Elisa Harca, Regional Director, Red Ant Asia discussed how disruptive technologies such as AI, Big Data and VR will transform consumer experience.
Headquartered in Hong Kong, Infiniti is represented in 50 international markets. Launched in 1989, it offers a range of premium automobiles built in China, Japan, the UK and the US. The brand is known for its design and innovative driver-assistance technologies. Last year it became a technical partner of the Renault Sport Formula One team.
Nissan Motor’s premium brand Infiniti sold more than 230,000 vehicles globally in 2016, a 7 percent annual rise, Infiniti said on Wednesday, a record year for a marque that trails rivals in the increasingly crowded premium market.
The brand distantly lags German luxury competitors like BMW, which can sell almost as many vehicles in a single month, and second-tier luxury leaders like Toyota’s Lexus, which sells at least twice as many cars each year.
Infiniti annual sales grew 4 percent year-on-year in the United States, its largest market, to more than 138,300, while China sales rose 3 percent to 41,590.
In December, Infiniti sold 27,200 vehicles globally.
Japanese automobile manufacturer Nissan Motor Company has started production of the all-new Infiniti Q60 sports coupe at the company’s manufacturing facility in Tochigi, Japan.
The Tochigi plant has been producing Infiniti vehicles since the brand was launched in 1989. 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.
To enhance quality control, a new lighting system for the inspection process and a camera and video system on the assembly line have been introduced. In a world’s first application, the trunk lid feature for Q60 is a hybrid combination of a resin skin on a steel frame.
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 Sandstone 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.
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. 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 6 Meister Takumi are selected – those with the highest understanding of premium car production and the desires and expectations of Infiniti’s customers.
