The contract manufacturer Magna Steyr will assemble “a future luxury entry level compact vehicle” for Nissan’s premium brand Infiniti. This according to a joint statement issued by both companies. Production of the mystery vehicle will start in 2014.
The agreement is still in the MOU phase and not binding. However, it “follows an engineering assignment which Magna Steyr is already intensively working on.” Apparently, Infiniti is happy with Magna’s work so far.
According to Infiniti Chief Andy Palmer, the “new vehicle represents a significant opportunity for the Infiniti brand to reach new consumers and grow in key markets such as Western Europe.” Which gives another hint.
Infiniti luxury entry level compact vehicle aimed at Western European market. What could it be?
People at Nissan are not talking, pointing to the fact that companies are still finalizing the details for the manufacturing and supply agreements.
Magna has been supplying parts and components to Nissan, for instance the soft tops for the Nissan Murano or the Infiniti G37 convertible. Magna has been doing a lot of contract work for Daimler, and Daimler has an alliance with Renault/Nissan.
My feeling is that the mystery car will be the production version of Infiniti’s Etherea Concept, shown first at the Geneva Motor Show in 2011. At the time, it was rumored that a production Etherea would share into the Mercedes A-Class platform – and that the car would be built by Magna Steyr.
Getting tired of seeing concept cars mimic this design (no fixed B-pillar, beige interiors, chairs that can swivel 360 degrees, monovolume glass-house) since the ’80s. Would someone eventually make one?
This smells like Crossfire to me. I hope it is as successful, too.