Infiniti has projected that sales of its Q50 in the UK next year will match the firms’ total sales for the whole of 2012.
Infiniti’s regional boss for North Europe, Steve Oliver, said that he hopes to sell 500 Q50s next year. The model is set to go into direct competition with the BMW 3 Series.
Oliver, speaking at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, had this to say: “At the moment Infiniti needs cars on the road - we need visibility. The Q50 will give us that. By the end of the next financial year, March 2014, we should have sold 500 Q50s in the UK - that’s a modest goal, but it is the same as the entire number of cars we sold in 2012.
“That is a recipe for sustained growth, and that is the only goal we have - we’re not interested in quick wins.
“The Infiniti Q50 is our breakthrough car. It offers both a European-focused engine, plus the benefit of a petrol hybrid that offers performance and low emissions. We have something to offer everyone, and we sense that there is a growing desire among private and fleet buyers to break away from the big three German marques. We feel the Q50 is a very credible car, and that should serve us well.
“After the Q50, our BMW 1-series rival is the next focus. The Q50 is a product that should change perceptions of the brand and sell well. It lays the groundwork for the next car, which should really help us build momentum. Again, we know there should be volume there, and we really believe we can bring something new to market.”
The regional boss also outlined Infiniti’s plans to develop an 8-strong UK dealer network.
He said: “We have proven that customers of premium cars enjoy the bespoke service we are able to offer, and the key now is to extend our reach and thereby reputation. We have several sites under evaluation, and hope to grow in line with our sales volumes.”
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