Infiniti Luxury Car Brand Confirmed For Australia In 2012

MELBOURNE – March 22, 2011: Infiniti, the luxury automotive brand from Japan, today announced that it plans to begin sales of its range of sedans, coupes and cross-overs in Australia starting in 2012. Infiniti was the fastest-growing import luxury brand in the United States last year and is expanding rapidly across the globe. The Australian introduction follows the UK, Western Europe and select Asia Pacific markets.

Starting from the third quarter of 2012, Australian luxury car buyers will be able to purchase and service Infiniti automobiles at Infiniti Centres in each of the three major east coast capitals Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane.

Initially, the Infiniti model range will comprise the highly distinctive Infiniti FX sport crossover, G37 sport convertible and coupe and the unique Infiniti M luxury performance sedan.

"As part of Infiniti's worldwide expansion, Australia is a mandatory next step for the luxury brand," said Dan Thompson CEO, Infiniti Cars Australia. "In a little more than a year, the promise of luxury vehicles with a unique combination of inspired performance, attentive hospitality and unparalleled quality will become a reality for the Australian market.”

Kevin Snell has recently been appointed General Manager, Infiniti Cars Australia and has begun assembling a dedicated team to manage the introduction of the premium brand locally.

Snell, formerly a global Sales & Marketing executive with Saab Automobile and more recently, a Senior Product Planner at Nissan Australia, said his team was committed to delivering Infiniti customers with a new style of luxury experience underpinned by inspiring products which will challenge conventional notions of luxury.

“Infiniti is a passionate brand with inspiring cars which will provide Australian consumers a clear alternative to the traditional premium makes. An alternative which will be underpinned by our brand promise of "Inspired Performance" and reflected not only by our cars emotive designs, exhilarating performance and advanced technology but also by the exceptional service and attention delivered at our exclusive Infiniti Centres," said Snell.

Infiniti debuted in 1989 in the United States and then Canada and has since expanded to Europe as well as China, Korea, Taiwan and parts of the Middle East. The brand has 340 dealers worldwide and forecasts more than 165,000 sales in the 2011 Financial Year.

In Australia, Infiniti will be strengthened by a financial division: Infiniti Financial Services. The finance team possesses broad experience in automotive financing and will operate from its head office in Victoria. Exclusively focused on the premium segment, Infiniti Financial Services will offer innovative products and services to companies and individuals, both in traditional credit and in leasing.

For its Australian arrival, Infiniti has begun assembling a team of professionals from luxury consumer goods and automotive backgrounds who are experts in delivering an outstanding luxury brand experience.

In addition to General Manager, Kevin Snell, founding members of the Infiniti Cars Australia team will include National Marketing & Sales Manager, Andrew Millar (formerly of the Swatch Group); National Retail Performance Manager, Nick Parkington (formerly of the AWB Landmark organization; Digital Marketing & CRM Manager, Mark Grier (formerly of BMW Group) and Product & Sales Planning Manager, Zac Loo (formerly of Mercedes-Benz).

Infiniti Cars Australia has commenced formal discussions with a number of outstanding automotive retailers, who share a passion for premium cars and outstanding customer service, to join the brand as the inaugural retail partners in 2012.