Infiniti primes product to reverse sales slide

Infiniti suffered its biggest annual percentage sales decline in its history last year, with U.S. sales tumbling 32 percent. But the automaker hopes to reverse that with a product renaissance planned over the next few years.

Infiniti intends to renew nearly every vehicle in its lineup by around 2025.

This year, Infiniti debuted the QX55 sporty crossover — becoming the only Japanese luxury model in the crossover coupe category. That product had been planned for the second half of 2020 but was delayed until the spring because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The new crossover hints at the brand's future design direction, Infiniti Americas Group Vice President Jeff Pope has told Automotive News.

"This is the first vehicle in Infiniti's turnaround strategy and also shows the element of where we're going with the brand," Pope said. "It's going to attract an individual that's style-oriented, possibly younger."

Infiniti is gearing up to introduce the second-generation QX60 midsize crossover in early fall. It "sits in the heart of the premium segment," Pope said. "The QX60 targets customers who seek utility and premium luxury. This does both very well."

Production of the previous-generation QX60 ended in December, and many dealers ran out of supply by early spring.

Q50: The timing of a redesign of the Japan-made Q50 compact, Infiniti's remaining U.S. sedan, is uncertain. Nissan Motor Co. is reportedly ending development of the Nissan Skyline sedan, which the Q50 is sold as in Japan, according to a report by Nikkei Asia. However, Nissan global marketing and sales chief Asako Hoshino later said the automaker would "never abandon Skyline."

The Q50 could be reincarnated mid-decade as a battery-powered model based on the Qs Inspiration sports sedan concept. That debuted at the 2019 Shanghai auto show and featured an elevated driving position and all-wheel-drive power.

Q60: The low-volume, two-door compact sports coupe could be discontinued in 2023.

Subcompact crossover: A replacement for the QX30, which was discontinued after the 2019 model year, is possible in 2025. Unlike the QX30, which shared a platform with the Mercedes-Benz GLA crossover, the reincarnation could ride on the Renault-Nissan-developed CMF platform.

QX50: The compact crossover is currently Infiniti's bestselling model, accounting for 37.2 percent of the brand's U.S. sales through the first half of the year. The QX50, redesigned in 2018, features a variable-compression engine designed to deliver V-6-like performance from a four-cylinder.

A freshening comes in the second half of 2022, and a redesign is possible in 2025. That new generation could offer a battery-electric variant.

QX55: The compact QX55 is based on the QX50 and shares design elements with it. But the sporty crossover features a different fascia and a new double-arch grille that uses an "origami-inspired mesh pattern."

The grille is flanked by standard LED headlights, while the taillights combine 45 separate LEDs in a single housing. Look for a freshening in 2024.

QX60: Infiniti's bestseller until this year receives a makeover this fall with an updated powertrain and more muscular styling. The redesigned three-row midsize crossover will be powered by a 3.5-liter V-6 engine that delivers 295 hp. It will be mated to a new nine-speed transmission that delivers improved acceleration and a smoother driving experience.

The nameplate's second generation will feature a raised hood profile, larger grille, dual 12.3-inch screens and a two-tone roof. A freshening is expected in 2025.

Electric midsize crossover: A new electric midsize crossover could arrive mid-decade. It is expected to be based on the QX Inspiration concept revealed at the 2019 Detroit auto show.

That concept, which offered an electric awd system, featured a cab-forward design with short front and rear overhangs and a shorter hood.

QX80: The large SUV should receive a redesign in late 2023. One dealer described the updated model as a beefed-up and boxier version of the redesigned QX60.