::Events>2002>NAIAS
Auto Show>Infiniti Press Conference Speech
January 7, 2002, 2:10 PM
Jed Connelly, Senior Vice President, Nissan North America, Inc.
Good afternoon. Ten months ago, Infiniti introduced a new Q45 with the theme: “Accelerating the future.” In reality, the “acceleration” process for Infiniti started well before that under the mantel of the Nissan Revival Plan. At its core, the NRP is about one thing – product. At Infiniti’s core, now and into the future, is the same thing – product.
Infiniti’s “product revival” has followed parallel tracks – a major investment in the development of new products in categories where we don’t currently compete, and the revitalization of our strong existing model lineup.
We’ve already shown our commitment to the latter with the reinvented 2002 Q45 and the reinvigorated I35. Both offer more power, more luxury, more cutting-edge technology and more driving excitement.
Today, we’re here to show you two totally new products. One is just a few months from the showroom. The other will follow in early 2003. I’ll leave the details to the speakers who follow, but I’d like to quickly set the stage.
Every once in a while, a car comes along that is so right, so powerfully executed, so in tune with its customers’ needs and desires that it energizes the entire organization.
My instincts tell me that the new G35 sport sedan will be a lightning rod for Infiniti. It’s fresh, aggressive and will frankly leave our competitors saying “Gee.” The G35 is going to put us on the map with buyers who may not have thought of Infiniti before.
But the G35 is only the beginning. Other new products will be coming fast and furious, among them the FX45 – a vehicle that, I believe, proves that lightning can, and will, strike twice.
Both of these products reinforce our emphasis on powerful, rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive premium vehicles. Another key element will be our continued focus on establishing a unified Infiniti look.
It’s my pleasure now to introduce the man behind the design of the G35, FX45 and future Infiniti vehicles. Please welcome Nissan Senior Vice President, Design, Shiro Nakamura.
Shiro Nakamura, Senior Vice President, Design, Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
Thank you, Jed, and good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. As you know, 12 months ago at this show, we presented of the FX45 as a new concept… a crossover of SUV and sports car.
Today, we are here to introduce a new FX45… one with the same concept but with a new design… one that is very close to the upcoming production model.
I would like to mention that the FX45 is our first-ever Infiniti-exclusive model. I believe it is a vehicle that incorporates all aspects of Infiniti.
Please take a look…
As you can recognize, the design of this second version FX45 is quite different from the original FX45. However, the concept we described as a “Bionic Cheetah” is unchanged. With this new model, we wanted to take a step forward and express the concept more clearly.
Now let me give you a few brief highlights of the design and “Infiniti-ness”…
“Powerful and elegant” are key words in the Infiniti design identity. In order to express this identity, we seek to create a fusion of design and dynamic performance.
This new Concept takes full advantage of its dynamic power in its distinctive proportions – such as a long, powerful hood with a V8 engine underneath, a wide stance, short overhangs and 21-inch tires pushed out to the corners to create a strong presence on the road.
With its powerful double-arch grille and high tech headlamps, the front end is one of the strongest expressions of Infiniti’s design identity.
As for the interior, it is designed as a highly personalized four-passenger environment.
Each occupant can feel an inviting atmosphere with individually controlled equipment and entertainment areas.
We set out to balance design and utility at an even higher level. The highly finished storage area shows a high level of attention to detail.
This exciting new FX45 has the agility of a sports car, the versatility of an SUV, and the luxury of Infiniti.
In the growing pack of crossover SUVs, it has an distinctive, powerful presence. For Infiniti, it represents a promise realized.
I hope you will come up in a few minutes and further explore the new FX45.
Now it is my pleasure to introduce the Vice President and General Manager of Infiniti, Mr. Mark McNabb…
Mark McNabb, Vice President and General Manager, Infiniti
Good afternoon. As we bring four new products to market in the next 12 months, including a production version of this powerful FX45, Infiniti has never been better positioned for growth.
The new Q45 has people talking about Infiniti, enhancing the image of all of our vehicles and setting the stage for new, front-engine, rear-wheel drive performance-oriented vehicles like the G35 and FX45.
Across the board, the measures of our success are improving. Incentive spending is down, transaction prices and residual values are up, measures of brand image and owner loyalty are all trending in the right direction.
Before getting to the G35, I want to add just a few words to what Mr. Nakamura told you about the FX45.
The FX45 Concept is a stylish, V8-powered performance SUV that we can – and will – build. Current timing for the production version FX45 is early 2003.
While the production FX45 will be considered by buyers in the same shopping set as the BMW X5, Lexus RX300 and Mercedes ML, it is designed to stand out, rather than blend in. We’re confident the market will enthusiastically respond to this beautiful new vehicle.
There’s another new Infiniti here today that’s going to muscle its way into another tough market segment, luxury sport sedans. This segment has long been dominated by a few European makes.
But now it’s time to make room for a true segment challenger… Please take a look at the 2003 Infiniti G35…
As you can see, the all-new G35 is not just another luxury sedan. It’s a true sport sedan, designed to compete with the best sport sedans from around the world.
With the design of the G35, like the FX45, we followed our own path, giving it a strong sense of “Infiniti-ness”… graceful and strong styling, a powerful elegance inside and out, and advanced technology.
This meant giving the G35 more room, better acceleration, better handling, more aggressive styling and better comfort than anything else in class.
To get a sense of the “seriousness” of the G35, you need look no further than its racing-influenced FM platform – a platform the G35 shares with the upcoming FX45.
Details on the FM platform and the G35 are provided in your press materials, but let me just list a few quick items:
A standard 260-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 with 260 lb-ft of torque
A standard 5-speed automatic transmission with manual shift mode – with a 6-speed manual to be offered later in the development process
4-wheel independent suspension with rear multi-link design and extensive use of weight saving aluminum components
Rear-wheel drive and an ideal 52/48 weight balance
A 0.26 coefficient of drag with rear spoiler and zero front lift – developed, like race cars, on a moving belt wind tunnel
More interior and trunk room than many larger vehicles and clearly the most roominess in class
The new G35 offers a richness of technology, performance and roominess. It’s an exhilarating sedan for the demanding enthusiast.
Oh, and one other thing. Along with superior dynamic capabilities, we’re going to be highly competitive in value.
Pricing for the 2003 G35 will start at $27,100, the same as the BMW 3-series. That includes the 260-horsepower V6, 5-speed automatic with manual shift mode, vehicle dynamic control, six-speaker/six-CD audio system and more. Fully loaded, with everything, the new G35 tops out in the mid-$30s
That’s a lot of performance, a lot of car for the money. It’s a lot of Infiniti.
We’ll also offer a selection of other equipment packages – details are in your press kits. Look for the new G35 in showrooms in March.
The G35 and FX45are just the beginning. The product onslaught in the next few years for Infiniti will go far beyond these two vehicles. This fall, we’ll add a performance coupe to the G35 lineup – here’s a peek to whet your appetite.
We’ll also be adding a new mid-size performance luxury sedan. And, for the 2004 model year, you’ll see a new full-size Infiniti SUV come out of our new Canton, Mississippi manufacturing facility.
Now I’d like Debra Sanchez Fair to join us for another special announcement. Debra…
Debra Sanchez Fair, Vice President, Corporate Communications,
Nissan North America, Inc.
Thank you, Mr. Ghosn. It’s a well-deserved honor.
Thanks, Mark, good afternoon. Before closing today, there’s one special acknowledgement we’d like to make.
Recently, Mr. Carlos Ghosn was named by Automobile magazine as their 2002 “Man of the Year.”
We’d like Jean Jennings, Automobile’s executive editor, to come out to present Mr. Ghosn with this well-deserved honor… Jean…
Mr. Carlos Ghosn, President and CEO, Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
Thank you, Jean, and thank you to the editors of Automobile and all the assembled media for your strong support of our efforts with Infiniti and Nissan.
Debra Sanchez Fair, Vice President, Corporate Communications,
Nissan North America, Inc.
Thank you all for coming today. Our new press kits featuring written and electronic information are available on the tables at the back of the display and, as always, the most up-to-date Infiniti information is available password free at
www.infinitinews.com.
All of today’s speakers, along with Jack Collins, our vice president of product planning and Steve Wilhite, our new vice president of marketing, will be available one-on-one for questions immediately following a few minutes for photography.
Also, please join us tomorrow at 1:10 next door for our Nissan press conference. And watch for more exciting Infiniti product news at the New York Auto Show in March.
Now please come up on stage for a closer look at the new FX45 and G35.
