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Infiniti QX70 is fini, for now

We knew it first as the FX, debuting in 2003 as a bulgingly macho SUV/crossover thing with an impossibly long hood. It was quick and powerful, and lower-slung than typical SUVs, more like a tall wagon. Infiniti later dialed the cartoonishness of it back a few notches and started calling it the QX70. Now, the QX70 is going to take a little break, disappearing from the lineup for a few years while QX50 and QX80 redesigns are rolled out. The QX70 is sporty, with a 325-horsepower 3.7-liter V6. But it's an aging model and a bit of a slow seller - last year, Infiniti moved one-seventh as many QX70s as it did its kid-hauling cousin the QX60 - which seats more people (seven, to the QX70's five) and is less expensive. The QX70 was once popular like that, selling 30,964 as the FX in 2004. But that was long, long ago. Last year it sold 6,261. The QX70 nameplate is expected to be back in 2021 or 2022, in a redesign based on the Nissan Murano and built at Nissan's plant in Canton, Miss. Related Video: Featured Gallery 2015 Infiniti QX70 Plants/Manufacturing Infiniti Crossover SUV redesign

Nissan files civil suit against Ghosn, seeking $91 million in damages

TOKYO — Nissan filed a civil suit Wednesday seeking 10 billion yen ($91 million) in damages from the Japanese automaker's former Chairman Carlos Ghosn. Nissan filed the case in Yokohama District Court to recoup some of the monetary damages suffered, it said, “as a result of years of misconduct and fraudulent activity" by Ghosn. The claim was calculated by adding the costs from what Nissan called Ghosn's “corrupt practices,” such as rent for overseas property, use of corporate jets and payments to Ghosn's sister, as well as costs for the internal investigation into Ghosn's alleged wrongdoings. Representatives of Ghosn said in a statement they couldn't comment as they had yet to see the legal documents. “Nissan's maneuvers continue,” they said, while noting Nissan had claimed larger damages before. Ghosn, who led Nissan for two decades and saved it from near-bankruptcy, was arrested in Japan in November 2018, and charged with underreporting his future compensation and breach of trust in diverting Nissan money for personal gain. He was awaiting trial but skipped bail and showed up in Lebanon late last year. Japan has no extradition treaty with Lebanon, and he's unlikely to be arrested. A date had not been set for his trial, and Ghosn has said he was worried his ordeal would never end and he would not get a fair hearing. The bail conditions also barred him from seeing his wife. He has repeatedly lashed out at Japan's judicial system, where the conviction rate is higher than 99%. Japanese authorities recently issued an arrest warrant for Ghosn and three Americans, accused of helping his escape. Separately, they issued an arrest warrant for Ghosn's wife on suspicion of perjury. Ghosn has repeatedly said he is innocent, saying that the promised compensation had never been decided, and all the payments were for legitimate services. Wednesday's lawsuit by Nissan comes on top of the civil case Nissan filed against Ghosn in the British Virgin Islands in August last year. It alleged unauthorized payments, sought to regain a luxury yacht and pursued other damages, according to Nissan. Yokohama-based Nissan, which makes the Z sportscar, Leaf electric car and Infiniti luxury models, is also facing trial in Japan as a company in relation to Ghosn's scandal. It has indicated it will agree to any penalties. Nissan's reputation has been sorely tarnished over the Ghosn fiasco, and its sales have dropped. Nissan reports financial results Thursday.

Infiniti lays out four upcoming models, electric future to dealers

Infiniti recently held a meeting in Los Angeles for approximately 200 of its North American dealers. Much of the talk was geared toward calming skeptical franchise owners about the brand's staying power. To bolster that argument, Infiniti corporate gave the retailers a sneak preview of upcoming models intended to liven up a portfolio that's largely seen as stagnant. As Automotive News reported, dealers were treated to a first look at two gasoline models and two electric ones. All four were either crossovers or SUVs. Firstly, an all-new QX80 is expected to debut for model year 2024. Infiniti plans to move it upmarket with a price tag north of $100,000 to compete with Cadillac and Lincoln. We would expect a starting price below the six-figure threshold, with only top trim models going over the line.  AN describes the QX80's exterior design as blockier than its predecessor's, with a new corporate grille. Details include "piano key" head and taillights as seen on the QX55, as well as Tesla-esque door handles that are flush with the paint when not in use. Using the next-gen version of the popular Nissan Patrol as its base, the flagship SUV will replace its 5.6-liter V8 with a twin-turbo V6 that puts out about 450 horsepower. That's 50 more than the V8, but should return better mileage than the current 15 mpg combined. Luxury features reportedly include an air suspension that lowers when parked to make climbing in and out less strenuous, a 24-inch display spanning the dashboard, and plenty of legroom for second- and third-rowers. Expect a summer 2023 debut.  An all-new model called the QX65 will be positioned as a Lexus RX rival. Though based on the QX60, which is itself based on the Nissan Pathfinder. It loses the third row for a more coupe SUV-like profile. It's described as having the grille of the upcoming QX80 but "shark fin taillights".  Infiniti was one of the first companies to proclaim an electric lineup within a certain timeframe. That date was 2030, but the brand now lags behind BMW, Lexus and others. AN's report has a new Q70 sedan going on sale by the end of 2026 as Infiniti's first all-electric model. Attendees recounted a design that takes off from where the discontinued Q70 left off but with proportions that include short overhangs and a longer wheelbase. A new lighting signature illuminates the full width of the car. Comparisons were drawn to the Tesla Model S and Porsche.