Relatively new to the European market, Nissan's premium brand Infiniti has been little more than an off-the-radar alternative to the German luxury trio Mercedes-Benz, Audi and BMW.
Renault-Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn is looking to change that notion. According to AutoNews, an ambitious plan is set to target 100,000 European vehicle sales by 2016. Meanwhile, only 12,500 Infinitis were sold in Europe last year.
A European plan including Turkey and Russia will only be a piece of the puzzle. In fact, Ghosn sees a global opportunity to triple Infiniti's sales to 500,000 units by 2016.
Spearheading Infiniti's expansion will be an all new compact-premium model due for 2014. To be built in Europe, the new compact Infiniti will go head-to-head against the Audi A3, BMW 1-Series and Mercedes-Benz A-Class. In fact, the new Infiniti will be based on the same underpinnings as the Mercedes small car. Design elements are expected to be influenced by the Infiniti Etherea concept, which first unveiled during the 2011 Geneva Auto Show.
According to Infiniti executive vice president Andy Palmer, "This new vehicle represents a significant opportunity for the Infiniti brand to reach new consumers and grow in key markets such as western Europe."
Contract manufacturer Magna Steyr will be responsible for its production and, according to Polish media reports, Magna Steyr could build the Infiniti compact in a former FSO-Daewoo plant in Warsaw.
While the goals are lofty, Carlos Ghosn has all the pieces in place for an all out Infiniti expansion.
Interestingly, Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne expressed concerns of Eurozone stagnation. The future Infiniti compact must prove to be a sensation if Infiniti is to make any headway.
