Infiniti's name game starts with the Q50
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When Infiniti's top-selling vehicle, the redesigned Infiniti G sedan, is unveiled next month at the Detroit auto show, it will have a new name: the Q50.
The change begins a move by Nissan Motor Co.'s luxury division to rename its entire product portfolio for the 2014 model year, returning to the letter "Q" from the brand's early history for every car and "QX" for every Infiniti crossover and SUV.
Infinti is undertaking the change to prepare for a broader array of global products, said Johan de Nysschen, worldwide president of the brand.
Infiniti's current lineup of sedans, coupes and convertibles will become the Q50, Q60 and Q70.
"There is risk associated with everything, but we feel quite comfortable about doing it," de Nysschen said in a phone interview from Infiniti's Hong Kong headquarters.
He said the moment is right to bring new order to the Infiniti lineup as it steps up exports to global markets and introduces a redesigned G sedan, the brand's top seller.
Infiniti's other products will join the Q50 under the new naming structure over the course of about eight weeks as 2014 models roll out. The M sedan will become the Q70, and the current G37 coupe and convertible will become the Q60.
Infiniti's EX crossover will become the QX50, and the FX crossover will be changed to the QX70. The current full-sized QX56 SUV, with its 5.6-liter V-8, will become the QX80.
Perhaps the most delicate changeover will be the brand's JX crossover, which was introduced only this year. The JX is being heavily advertised in the United States and has become a success for Infiniti dealers. It is Infiniti's second-highest-selling model after the G. Starting next year, the JX will be the QX60.
You can reach Lindsay Chappell at lchappell@crain.com.
