Redesigned All New QX50 SUV to spearhead Infiniti's China growth

Infiniti, Nissan Motor Co's flagship premium brand, has announced plans to triple its annual China sales to approximately 150,000 vehicles in the next five years.

To meet this ambitious target, Infiniti will be adding five models to its highly localized portfolio, the first of which, the redesigned All New QX50 SUV, is making its debut in China at the ongoing 2018 Beijing International Automotive Exhibition, also known as Auto China 2018 and will hit showroom floors by mid-year.

Infiniti Chairman and Global President Roland Krueger said the five locally produced models will consist of three SUVs and two sedans.

"China is a top growth market for Infiniti, and our designers and engineers are working to ensure that our vehicles are fully optimized for our Chinese customers," Krueger said. "Localization is key to our market strategy and positioning."

The addition of five new vehicles is expected to put the premium automaker on a solid growth trajectory in China, a market defined by rapid portfolio turnover and frequent new model launches to grab buyer attention, according to the company.

Localization and portfolio expansion are key to spurring growth, and the automaker's market strategy and portfolio expansion hinge on localization, Krueger said.

By the end of the five-year rollout, localized models will account for over 90 percent of Infiniti sales in China, up from 60 percent of the 48,408 vehicles delivered last year.

The automaker's dealer network will also swell to at least 200 dealerships in the same period, the company said.

In 2014, Infiniti began localizing its models with joint venture Dongfeng Infiniti Motor Co, starting with the QX50 and the Q50L sedan.

"Infiniti is pursuing localization in China, for China," Krueger said. "We believe that to be successful, we need to be rooted here and to have an ongoing, active dialogue with our consumers. Our design language speaks to their emotional needs and aesthetic preferences."