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Infiniti takes to Facebook to explain model names, mentions 550-hp flagship

Infiniti caused quite a stir this week when it announced that it would be changing its vehicle names so that all of its cars start with Q and all of its crossovers and SUVs start with QX. Many displeased fans and owners took to social media to voice their opinions, and Johan de Nysschen, the new Infiniti boss, responded today with a Facebook post of his own.
In the note, de Nysschen talks about the challenge of product expansions with alphanumeric names that allow for flexibility without encroaching on the trademarked names of other automakers, although we're sure de Nysschen's former colleagues at Audi aren't looking forward to a Q30 or Q50. He also says that as Infiniti grows to become a global brand, the new naming structure - which closely mimics Volvo - is also designed to reduce confusion (just don't tell that to current owners). One thing that de Nysschen assured wouldn't happen is a confusing "X" added to the end of all-wheel-drive model names that would result in names like the Q60X or, even worse, the QX50X.
While we are not looking forward to relearning Infiniti's product lineup, de Nysschen has given us something to look forward to courtesy of a new performance sedan. From the brief explanation of this car, which was used as a key example in explaining the validity of the new names, we learned that the new model will be a performance version of what is now the M sedan, and it will be powered by a "charged induction" 3.0-liter V6 producing more than 550 horsepower. The M's name will become the Q70, but as of right now, it isn't clear if this will be an IPL model or something else.

2023 Infiniti QX55 starts at $50,175, an increase of $2,650

Infiniti has added "more standard luxury amenities, driver-convenience features, and Infiniti Premium Care" to all grades of the 2023 QX55. The plusher digs come at a price, though. The entry-level Luxe and mid-level Essential trims have each gone up by $2,650, the 2023 Luxe costing $50,175 after the $1,025 destination charge, the 2023 Essential costing $55,275. The top Sensory trim has only been increased by $750, rising to $58,825. The dosh buys perforated leather upholstery, 4-way power lumbar adjustment for the driver's seat, a USB-C port for the back passengers, rear door handles with integrated LED welcome lighting, auto-folding heated outside mirrors with blind spot detection, and ProPILOT Assist across the board. Three-year standard maintenance program Infinity Premium Care is thrown in, too, providing routine inspections, oil changes and tire rotations for purchasers and lessees. Every variant also comes with wireless Apple CarPlay, but Android Auto still requires a cord. Moving to the Essential upgrades to adaptive LED headlights in a cube design with auto leveling, adds Traffic Sign Recognition to the ADAS suite, and extends feature content with items like climate controlled front seats, around-view monitor, and 3D building graphics for the navigation system. The QX55 Sensory picks up even nicer leather seating, four-way power lumbar adjustment for the front passenger, heated outboard seats in the second row, a heads-up display, and a motion-activated rear hatch. The powertrain holds steady with the 2.0-liter variable-compression four-cylinder making 268 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, "shifting" through a continuously variable transmission and sending power to both axles. The 2023 QX55 can be configured at the Infiniti site now, arriving at dealerships sometime this summer.

Nissan recovery to focus on U.S., Japan, China markets

Nissan will pull back from Europe and elsewhere to focus on the United States, China and Japan under a plan that represents a new strategic direction for the embattled carmaker, people with direct knowledge of the plan told Reuters. The "operational performance plan" is due to be announced on May 28 and goes beyond fixing problems from ousted leader Carlos Ghosn's aggressive expansion drive, the people said. The company's struggles predate the current global economic shutdown. Nissan's 2019 sales slumped severely.  Nissan was already planning to implement what was described as a "do or die" plan in January, before the global coronavirus pandemic froze automotive production and sales worldwide.  Pursuit of market share, particularly in the United States, led to steep discounting and a cheapened brand. Under the new, three-year plan — reported here for the first time — Nissan aims to restore dealer ties and refresh lineups to regain pricing power and profitability, the people told Reuters. "This is not just a cost-cutting plan. We're rationalizing operations, reprioritizing and refocusing our business to plant seeds for the future," one of the people said. The plan also aims to cut competition and expand cooperation with alliance partners, the people said. Nissan will follow Mitsubishi in plug-in electric hybrid vehicle technology, with the smaller peer taking the lead in Asian markets outside China and Japan. France's Renault will likely focus on electrical vehicle technologies and Europe. Nissan and Mitsubishi declined to comment. Renault did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The plan, led mainly by Chief Operating Officer Ashwani Gupta rather than Nissan's low-key chief executive, Makoto Uchida, is aimed at freeing resources to invest in products and technology for the United States, China and Japan, the people said. "The net effect is even though we reduce our R&D spend this year versus last year and make other savings, we pump those freed-up resources back into core markets and core products," said one of the people, who declined to be identified as they were not authorized to speak with media on the matter. The plan is likely to take up to two weeks to be finalized, with sales and earnings targets complicated by the anticipated long-term impact on auto sales of government measures worldwide taken to stop the coronavirus outbreak, the people said.