DETROIT – Infiniti Q60 sports coupe sales fell like a dropped transmission last year, but hope is on the way.
It takes the form of an eye-catching third-generation model that “sends a message,” says Carlos Ghosn, Chairman and CEO of Nissan, luxury-brand Infiniti’s parent company.
The new model debuts here at the North American International Auto Show a year after a concept version was shown at the same venue. The latest version of the 2-door goes on sale this summer in the U.S. and then in other markets worldwide.
The Q60 is designed and engineered to, among other things, expand its appeal, Ghosn tells WardsAuto following the unveiling.
“First of all, all the Infiniti lovers,” he says of the primary customer base of appeal. “We have always occupied this kind of segment in the market, and it was expected.”
Beyond that, he is hoping that “with all the technology we are putting in and with the design, we expect to draw even more customers beyond Infiniti. We expect to enlarge our market share. So we feel good about this car.”
Q60 U.S. sales went from 7,740 units in 2014 to 3,949 in 2015, a 49% decline. It competes in WardsAuto’s Luxury Specialty car segment. The hands-down segment leader is the BMW 4-series with 46,082 deliveries in the U.S. last year.
Does Ghosn have BMW particularly in mind when he speaks of the Q60’s potential appeal to more than just Infiniti fans?
“No, no, no,” he says. “Infiniti is really unique as a brand, and we want to continue to be a brand for people (who are drawn to) its uniqueness.”
Overall, Infiniti fared relatively well in the U.S. last year. Sales were up from 117,330 units in 2014 to 133,498 in 2015, nearly a 14% increase, according to WardsAuto.
“We’re looking at shattering records,” Ghosn says of future brand sales. “Infiniti is becoming a growth engine for Nissan.”
