Crossovers, EVs will be key to success in world’s largest auto market
Infiniti will launch five new vehicles in China as it prepares to triple its sales over the next five years in the world’s largest auto market, the automaker has revealed. The announcement comes ahead of the Beijing auto show which takes place next week.
The first new vehicle coming to China is the redesigned QX50 midsize crossover that’s now on sale in the U.S. The model will enter production at Infiniti’s factory in Dalian, China, and all copies produced there will be sold in China. The model goes on sale in China later this year, and should help Infiniti reach its goal to sell around 150,000 vehicles on an annual basis.
Right now, infiniti produces just two vehicles in China, long-wheelbase versions of the Q50 and Q70. These vehicles are built at Nissan’s plant in Xiangyang.
Just like here in the U.S., crossovers are proving popular in China. Sales of SUVs and crossovers were up 11 percent in the first quarter, reaching 2.66 million units, reports Automotive News. This growth outpaces the overall market’s rise of 2.6 percent.
Electrification will also help Infiniti achieve success in China and other parts of the world. By 2025, Infiniti hopes more than half of its new vehicles sold globally and in China will be electrified. Infiniti’s Q Inspiration concept, which makes its Asia debut in Beijing, provides a glimpse into the automaker’s future electric offerings with compact powertrains and clean design lines.
Source: Infiniti, Automotive News (Subscription required)
