On Tuesday, Infiniti announced it would enter a new market for the brand, bringing gasoline and diesel wares to New Zealand. New markets can be tough for manufacturers to crack, but don’t worry — Infiniti isn’t alone in this.
In order to grab a piece of the New Zealand sales pie, Infiniti has partnered with a distribution company to move its metal across the country. Global Motors NZ Limited has invested in Infiniti to carry out this business venture. According to Google, Global Motors is a used car dealer in Auckland, but its website is currently non-functional.
The product offensive starts off small, with only three models coming to port: the Q50, QX70, and QX80. While North Americans drivers are undoubtedly familiar with all three of those models, the QX70 (nee FX) entry will be a bit different in New Zealand. Under the hood a V6 diesel engine will reside — an option which has thus far been unobtainable in North America. Not a new boy, the V9X diesel has been found in overseas-market Infiniti, Nissan, and Renault products since 2010.
Citing 230,000 units sold across the globe, and 6,700 vehicles in the Asia and Oceania markets, Infiniti views New Zealand as an excellent growth opportunity. Bringing over SUV options first makes sense, as according to New Zealand Autocar, 35 percent of overall registrations in New Zealand are for SUVs.
In their report from last year, Autocar indicated the idea was for Infiniti to launch independently from Nissan NZ (which did occur) and to pursue a full lineup of SUV-only models at launch (which didn’t). Lacking from the launch are the QX30, QX50, and QX60 SUVs. In addition, the Q60 coupe and Q70/Q70L large sedan are not yet available.
Infiniti will start out with two dealerships in major New Zealand cities: Auckland and Christchurch. Those dealers will be tasked with selling just 37.5 percent of the overall Infiniti model lineup on their lots.
Hot topic ;)
Seriously. I’m never writing about Infiniti or anywhere Down Under again.
As a recent Infiniti convert, please continue writing about the brand. Though by no means perfect, this is a seriously underrated company. I will even break habit of just reading and moving on, to log in and post if that is what it takes.
Haha, I have one too (see pic), but the world runs on clicks!
Corey,
Infiniti is a recent addition in Australia other than a few grey imports.
I don’t think they are a hot topic in Australia either.
I’m thinking this NZ experiment they’re doing will be a short burst, then drop sort of thing.
Corey, stories like this are exactly why I come here. Now how about the used car market in Kyrgyzstan?
I will have to take a vacation over there and check it out!
You are always welcome in Canuckistan.
As the owner of an FX50S, I would seriously consider a QX70S with the 3.0 diesel and that sweet, sweet 400 ft lbs of torque. Europe and Australasia get it, but we do not.
I have been looking at the Jaguar F-Pace 20d and the BMW X5 35d. For the F-Pace, the 2.0 I4 is probably too slow for my tastes, but the European V6 would probably be just right. For the X5, considering some of the horror stories I’ve read regarding the 335d, I don’t think I could stomach the cost of a top end rebuild…this coming from an S-Type R owner. Enter Infiniti and its superb unlimited mileage warranty.
Given that the FX/QX70 sells in such low numbers as it is, I can’t see the diesel coming here. Being completely satisfied with the V8, I am fine for the time being, but like to nonetheless plan ahead.
I applaud your car choice! We were discussing yesterday whether the FX will be around much longer – as Infiniti dropped it from their media site in the “current offerings” area. The last time it appeared there was for 2015.
Nice piece Corey.
Thanks!
I hope Nissan updates the FX. More interior room and the new 3.0TTs. As the X4/6 and GLx coupes show there’s a real appetite for “Sport Activity Coupes”.
I think it will end up lingering 1-2 more years, then die. Its “replacement” will be the upsized new QX50.