Nissan starts to build a new manufacturing facility in Decherd, Tennessee, that will build Mercedes-Benz four-cylinder gasoline engines for both Infiniti and Mercedes-Benz models. The new plant will be ready for production in 2014, with estimating that the factory will have an initial annual output of 250,000 units.

“Today, we begin an exciting new chapter for the Renault-Nissan Alliance and our continued investment in the U.S.,” said Nissan Vice President of Production Engineering, Mark Swenson. “Today’s groundbreaking marks the latest move in our collaboration with Daimler to localize production capacity and enhance our competitiveness in the global market.”

Mercedes-Benz will also lend its new MFA platform architecture that underpins the latest A-Class to Infiniti for an upcoming compact model, which will be produced in Austria.

Nissan wants to build vehicles in China to better compete with rivaling brands Audi, BMW and Mercedes, all of which produce cars locally as imports are subject to 25 percent tariffs. Nissan said that the move would help Infiniti achieve its goal of selling half a million vehicles by 2016. “The expansion of the Infiniti business is a key pillar of the Nissan Power 88 mid-term plan,” said Andy Palmer, Executive Vice President of Infiniti.

“This is an important milestone for Infiniti’s growth strategy, and for the brand to reach its aggressive sales target of 500,000 units by 2016, local production in the world’s largest automobile market is not an option but a necessity to our success,” he added.

Infiniti said that it will build two unspecified Infiniti models at facilities operated by Nissan’s joint venture company in China, Dongfeng Motor Co., Ltd. “The extremely productive partnership with DFL and its parent company, Dongfeng Motor Corporation (DFM), will enable Infiniti to quickly realize its production objectives in China,” Nissan said in a statement.

Earlier this month, for the first time ever, Infiniti invited Chinese automotive media to the United States as part of a two-week-long event that also hosted media from the United States, Canada and the Middle East, to test-drive the new JX seven-seater crossover.

Infiniti has unveiled the first photos and specs its new model year M35h hybrid. There are no styling or equipment changes to the 2012 M35h caught and Infiniti focused all attention on improving the hybrid model’s fuel efficiency and CO2 emission figures. Infiniti made key enhancements to electric motor accuracy and battery charging, which allow the M35h to rely more on electric power when starting off from cold.

Infiniti engineers said, that CO2 emissions drop from 162g/km to 159g/km. This may not sound a lot, but there are many advantages as the 2012 M35h qualifies for the higher rate of Write Down Allowance (WDA), allowing companies to claim 20 percent of the car’s cost as capital expenditure per year, instead of 10 percent before.

The 2012 Infiniti M35h also benefits from a lower fuel consumption as the combined figure for the hybrid model drops from 7.0 to 6.9 lt/100km, highway consumption reduces from 5.7 to 5.6 lt/100km, and on the urban cycle it’s 0.2lt/100km more economical at 9.0 lt/100km. The M35h’ V6 hybrid powertrain continues to produce a combined output of 359bhp (364PS) allowing for a 0-100km/h (62mph) sprint time of 5.5 seconds.

In the UK, the new M35h is priced at £46,840, or £1180 more than the 238HP M30d diesel.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has launched an investigation concerning Infiniti M45 sedans from the 2003 and 2004 model year. The NHTSA has reportedly received 43 complaints about inaccurate fuel gauge readings, and in 26 of these cases, the improperly calibrated fuel gauges have led to instances of engine stalling.

According to the NHTSA report, “The complaints show an apparent increasing trend, with most received within the past year.” This investigation will encompass approximately 8,100 M45 models.

As part of the celebrations for Sebastian Vettel’s 2011 championship, Infiniti is offering European buyers of the FX the chance to get a unique insight of the inner workings of the Red Bull Racing Formula 1 team.

The FX World Champion Experience will be offered only to select customers in Europe (there will only be 10 invitations for the UK) who order an FX. This applies not just to the top of the line FX50S Premium, but any model in the crossover range.

These select Infiniti FX buyers will be invited to Red Bull Racing Milton Keynes headquarters early next year where a member of the team will take them on a behind-the-scenes tour. January is probably the best time to witness first-hand a Formula 1 team, because everyone will be working at full speed in preparation for the 2012 Season.

“As Infiniti grows its presence in the global luxury markets of North America, Europe, China and South East Asia, we selected Hong Kong as the optimum location for our new global Infiniti headquarters,” said Andy Palmer, Executive Vice President of Nissan.

Nissan said that the Infiniti’s new global headquarters will be co-located with Nissan Company, with operations set to start in April of 2012.

On Tuesday a 2012 Infiniti M35h ripped down the UK’s rain-drenched Santa Pod Raceway and sped into the record books as the world’s quickest hybrid vehicle.

Driven by Tim Pollard and overseen by Guinness World Records, the 360hp Infiniti M35h dashed down the quarter-mile track in 13.9031 seconds. The quickest run of the day tripped the clock at 13.8960 seconds. In describing the M35h’s record-setting run, Pollard stated, “At Santa Pod you could feel the instant torque of the electric motor away from standstill – the car just leapt off the line.”

The M35h scoots from 0 to 62 miles per hour in 5.5 seconds and tops out at 155 mph. On the consumption side, the M35h snagged an official EPA rating of 27/32 mpg city/highway, with a combined rating of 29 mpg. Currently, the M35h is North America’s only 350-plus horsepower, 30-plus mpg highway vehicle.

PRESS RELEASE

ROLLE, Switzerland (20 September 2011) – Infiniti’s latest new model for Europe, the M35h, has sped into the record books as the world’s fastest accelerating full hybrid. Driven by journalist Tim Pollard and overseen by Guinness World Records®, the 364PS petrol/electric sedan covered the standing 400m (quarter mile) in 13.9031 seconds (average of all runs).

The test car, a standard production model, set the record on Tuesday 23 August 2011 at the UK’s Santa Pod Raceway, home of the FIA European Drag Racing Championships. From a standing start, the M35h harnessed its combination of electric motor torque from 0rpm and V6 power at high revs to impressive effect, the car passing the computerised timing equipment at the end of each run at speeds in excess of 160km/h (100mph).

In the hierarchy of fast cars, the time puts it on a par with performance heroes like the 1982 Lamborghini Countach1 and within a few tenths of some Porsches, Ferraris and Aston Martins.

The result is all the more remarkable because the Infiniti M35h emits just 162g/km of CO2 and, on the combined cycle, sips fuel at the rate of 7.0 litres of fuel per 100km (40.4mpg). Now on sale across Europe, the M35h is highly competitively priced at a margin over the equivalent diesel M30d of just €1500 (depending on market).

“The Infiniti M35h proves that hybrids can be fast as well as frugal,” said Tim Pollard, associate editor of the UK’s CAR Magazine. “At Santa Pod you could feel the instant torque of the electric motor away from standstill – the car just leapt off the line. I did try changing gear manually, but it was fastest left in automatic. That was when we achieved the fastest single run of 13.8960 seconds.

“But what impressed most was the M’s duality of purpose: it might be quick, but it’s also comfy and very easy to drive. It felt like it could do these runs all week long.”

The record run, in the presence of an adjudicator from Guinness World Records®, was the idea of Infiniti’s Communications department to correspond with the start of sales of the innovative new hybrid. They had no trouble enticing Tim into the driving seat. The point behind the exercise which can be watched at www.carmagazine.co.uk was to show that the M35h’s 0-100km/h (62mph) time of 5.5 seconds – itself the fastest time listed for a full hybrid – was just one facet of the car’s overall Inspired Performance. The standing 400m (quarter mile), an iconic acceleration test the world over, is a more demanding challenge than 0-100km/h and offers a more complete picture of a car’s acceleration.

The M35h’s result in the 13-second area puts the latest Infiniti among the performance aristocracy – a fact which may surprise when it is considered that the car is a near 5m-long four-door five-seater with as much of an emphasis on luxury, comfort and equipment as driving pleasure.

With its famous curves – themselves the focus of Infiniti’s new television campaign – providing the M’s signature muscular stance, the M35h is powered by a potent and high-revving petrol V6 engine complemented by a 68PS (50kW) electric motor, one of the most powerful in production. The first application of new-generation Infiniti Direct Response Hybrid technology, the total system power output of 364PS (268kW) goes to the rear wheels in a two-clutch system that maximises both performance and efficiency while allowing the car to run in electric-only mode at speeds as high as 120km/h.

Guinness World Records® (GWR) was at Santa Pod to witness the record attempt and ensure Infiniti’s new benchmark for full hybrids takes its place among the record-breakers on the GWR website. The M35h’s Inspired Performance is also in line to feature in the 2013 edition of the famous Guinness Book of Records.

The all-new Infiniti M range, developed to take on cars like the BMW 5-series and Jaguar XF in the demanding European marketplace, is currently the only sedan in its class in Europe to be available in petrol, diesel and hybrid forms.

The Infiniti M35h and the hybrid system it uses form a key part of Infiniti’s plan to boost sales in Europe with a goal to reach 10% of the luxury sector by 2016.

Infiniti released pricing on FX SUV model before it goes on sale in October. The FX facelifted base FX35, FX35 AWD and FX50 AWD models now start from $43,450 (+$850), $44,900 (+$850) and $59,350 (+$1750) respectively, not including a destination and handling fee (*) of $895.

The new FX35 AWD Limited Edition that adds a number of bespoke features and improved standard equipment such as the Iridium Blue exterior color, 21-inch, 10-spoke graphite-finish alloy wheels and dark tinted headlights with Adaptive Front lighting System, is priced at $51,550. Infiniti said only 550 examples of the Limited Edition FX35 AWD will be sold in the U.S.

Infiniti has unveiled its 2011 FX in Europe. The Infiniti SUV gains new convenience and safety features along with new color and trim combinations, while keeping the same engine range, which includes two petrol units and a diesel option.
The most important addition is that of the Lane Departure Prevention (LDP) system, which backs up its audible and visual warnings of an unintended lane departure with a dynamic intervention. The LDP now comes standard on the FX37 GT Premium and S Premium, and FX50 S Premium, as well as Premium versions of the FX30d.

Infiniti has also added a new power tailgate to the standard equipment of all FX models. It’s worth noting that the height the tailgate opens to is programmable to help avoid problems when operating the door in restricted spaces, while it can also raised or lowered from a switch on the dashboard, from buttons both inside and outside the tailgate, or remotely from the I-Key.

In Europe, the FX is offered with three engines including a 238HP V6 diesel, 320HP V6 petrol and 390HP V8 petrol of the range’s flagship model, the FX50 S Premium, which can accelerate from 0-62mph (100km/h) in 5.8 seconds.

Infiniti said it will create Centres in each of the three major east coast capitals of the country in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. The initial lineup will include the FX sport crossover, G37 hardtop convertible and coupe, and the M luxury sedan.

“As part of Infiniti’s worldwide expansion, Australia is a mandatory next step for the luxury brand,” said Dan Thompson CEO, Infiniti Cars Australia. “In a little more than a year, the promise of luxury vehicles with a unique combination of inspired performance, attentive hospitality and unparalleled quality will become a reality for the Australian market.”

‘‘They’re more of an individualist-type customer who are passionate about design and technology. They are early adopters and risk-takers and don’t like traditional conversative status and want to stand out from the crowd. They might even be tired of an Audi, BMW or Mercedes their neighbour drives’’.

Nissan founded Infiniti in 1989, around the same time as Japanese rivals Toyota and Honda created their own premium divisions, Lexus and Acura respectively. Following its launch in the United States and then Canada, the brand has since expanded to Europe as well as China, Korea, Taiwan and parts of the Middle East. Currently, Infiniti has 340 dealers worldwide with the company forecasting more than 165,000 sales in the 2011 Financial Year.