Infiniti starts local production in China

On November 6, Infiniti – Nissan’s luxury car division – started local production in China at the Xiangyang Plant in Hubei Province with the first Infiniti Q50L officially rolling off the assembly line. The long-wheelbase version of the Q50 premium sports saloon is Infiniti’s first localised model in China dedicated to Chinese consumers. The start of local production signifies an important milestone for Infiniti to become a mainstream player in the Chinese premium automotive market.

“Today we are here to witness Infiniti’s big step forward in China. We continue to expand our business in China and develop Infiniti as a truly global premium brand,” says Dr. Daniel Kirchert, president of Dongfeng Infiniti Motor Co., Ltd and managing director of Infiniti China. “Local production demonstrates Infiniti’s long-term commitment to the Chinese market. We will bring Infiniti’s renowned global quality standards and its premium experience even closer to Chinese consumers.”

With commencement of Infiniti local production at the Xiangyang Plant, China has become the third country for Infiniti’s global manufacturing footprint in addition to Japan and the US. It marks the next step in Infiniti’s global growth plan to expand the brand’s portfolio while establishing a broader global manufacturing footprint. It also underlines its determination to turn China into Infiniti’s second volume hub globally.

The Xiangyang plant is a manufacturing complex jointly established by Dongfeng Motor Corp. and Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. The plant has an annual production capacity of 250,000 vehicles, 60,000 of which are dedicated for Infiniti production. The plant has many years of manufacturing experience and has undergone substantial upgrades to meet Infiniti’s local production requirements. The Xiangyang Plant applies Infiniti’s global manufacturing standards and received Infiniti manufacturing certification in March, 2014.

In addition to the Infiniti Q50L, Infiniti will also soon start producing the localised QX50 long wheelbase version at the Xiangyang Plant.  Both vehicles are tailored for the Chinese market, expanding Infiniti’s product portfolio for the Chinese consumers.

China is one of Infiniti’s most important growth markets. Earlier in September, the joint venture Dongfeng Infiniti Motor Co was established with local partner Dongfeng Motor Corp. to jointly expand in China’s premium car market.  The brand aims to raise sales in China to 100,000 vehicles by 2018, over half of which will be locally produced models. In the first three-quarters of 2014, Infiniti has been the fastest growing premium auto brand in China as its sales increased by 91 percent year-on-year to nearly 20,800 vehicles. 

Infiniti Motor Company Ltd. is headquartered in Hong Kong with sales operations in over 50 countries. The Infiniti brand was launched in 1989. Its range of premium automobiles is currently built in manufacturing facilities in Japan, the United States and China. Production in the UK will start in 2015 and Infiniti plans to also expand manufacturing into Mexico by 2017.