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Nissan's dismal 2019: Where does Japan's struggling brand go from here?

Auto sales have gradually slowed from their peak during the boom years that followed the global recession, but Nissan's rapid decline stood out even in a year when few high-volume manufacturers had much to be excited about.  Of the "Japanese 3," Nissan's 2019 performance was by far the most troubling. Through November, when the company last posted its global sales figures, its volumes were down 8 percent compared to 2019. Here in the United States, its full-year numbers were down 9.9% in an industry that slid just a hair more than 2 percent overall.  Meanwhile, Honda managed a slight increase in U.S. sales (0.2%) and Toyota, much like the industry in general, finished the year down approximately 2%. Like Nissan, Honda and Toyota have remained committed to cars — including compact and midsize sedans — and have a comprehensive portfolio of offerings in the key SUV and crossover segments.   On paper, Nissan's lineup checks all the right boxes. From the subcompact Kicks up to the Armada, it has something for sale in virtually every possible nook and cranny of the people-mover segment, but almost all of these trucks (and trucklets) took a beating in 2019. Only the baby Kicks managed to improve on its 2018 sales, which isn't saying a whole lot, considering it was barely sold in 2018 to begin with.  In fact, the bonus volume contributed by Kicks helps obscure just how poorly some of Nissan's key offerings performed last year. Combined Rogue and Rogue Sport sales slid 15%; Murano was down more than 18%; the Pathfinder and Armada managed to pace the general industry, dropping 2.8 and 1.9%, respectively, but the astute reader will note at this point that we've yet to single out any bright spots. The news was even worse on the truck side. Frontier was down 9.1%. Titan? Down 37.5%. Crossovers and SUVs are selling. Trucks, even from import brands, are also selling. Toyota's mid-size Tacoma was up in 2019; both it and the full-size Tundra still more than tripled the volume of their Nissan competitors. Further muddying the waters, Honda managed its year-over-year volume increase without selling a full-sized pickup at all.  What, then, is Nissan's problem? To borrow an oft-used phrase, "It's the product, stupid." The most striking evidence of this issue is the Rogue, which competes in the compact crossover segment — a collection of vehicles that essentially sell themselves.

2014 Infiniti Q50 sees 3,650 pre-sales ahead of Aug. 5 debut

Infiniti's answer to the hot new sports sedans from BMW, Cadillac and Lexus is creeping closer and closer to its August 5 arrival in dealerships. And while we yet can't pass judgment on the Infiniti Q50 - formerly known as G37 - 3,650 Americans are apparently ready to, as they've already raised their hands for the 2014 model.
In a pre-sale program announced at the 2013 New York International Auto Show, Infiniti gave buyers until June 30 to raise their hand for the new model. "The Infiniti Q50 pre-sale exceeded all expectations, becoming the most successful such program in Infiniti history," according to Infiniti's American Vice President Ben Poore.
A lot is expected of the Q50, available in both rear- and all-wheel-drive and with an optional hybrid powertrain. With 328 horsepower from its 3.7-liter V6 engine, Infiniti is making sure the new car packs a big punch relative to the competition. Meanwhile, the Q50 Hybrid offers fuel-sippers 360 ponies and up to 36 miles per gallon.

Infiniti shows off the new Q50 engine lineup in Chicago

Infiniti has a raft of engine options it's rolling out on the Q50 sedan. We found out about most of them a couple of months ago, but they're now confirmed in all their turbocharged glory. And they'll all be showcased this week at the Chicago Auto Show. The base engine is a 2.0-liter turbo four based on a Mercedes design and built at the new joint-venture engine plant in Tennessee. The engine produces 208 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque and will be available in the Q50 2.0t in either rear- or all-wheel drive. If those specs strike you as familiar, they're the same that you'd find in the Mercedes CLA250 and GLA250, both of which similarly make their 4Matic traction optional, but come standard in front- (not rear-) drive form. Above the four-pot sits a new 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 that replaces the naturally aspirated 3.7-liter unit and will be available in two states of tune. The 3.0t model offers 300 hp and 295 lb-ft, but the performance model – dubbed Q50 Red Sport 400 – cranks it up to 400 hp and 350 lb-ft. Both versions come mated to a seven-speed automatic transmission and either rear- or all-wheel drive. The fourth powertrain options carries over in the form of the Q50 Hybrid, which still pairs a naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V6 to a 50-kW electric motor for a combined output of 360 hp. So if you like your sports sedan to come with some manner of assist, the Q50 offers plenty of choices. But if you're in the atmospheric camp, we're afraid you'll have to look elsewhere. Related Video: Infiniti Presents Three New Q50 Sports Sedan Engines for the First Time at the 2016 Chicago Auto Show - Q50 Red Sport 400 offers new 400-horsepower VR-series 3.0-liter V6 twin turbo engine - Advanced 300-horsepower VR V6 twin-turbo version shown for the first time in Chicago - Pair of new V6 twin turbo engines joined by new 2.0-liter turbo inline-4 rated at 208 horsepower CHICAGO (Feb. 11, 2016) – Infiniti today revealed the full lineup of new advanced engines for its Infiniti Q50 sports sedan at the 2016 Chicago Auto, including two 3.0-liter V6 twin turbo engines and a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder turbo engine. The trifecta of new powerplants will be available beginning this spring. Joining the three new engine-equipped Q50 models – designated the Q50 2.0t, Q50 3.0t and Q50 Red Sport 400 – on display at the country's oldest and best-attended auto show are the redesigned 2016 QX60 crossover and the all-new QX30 premium active crossover.