Infiniti announced today that they will exit the Western European market to concentrate on their growth areas in North America and China. The company stated that regulatory challenges and competition from other premium priced cars were the main factors in its decision. There are 55 Infiniti dealerships in Western Europe.
As part of the move, Infiniti is canceling the Q30 sedan and QX30 crossover which is sold in the US. Both vehicles are built in the UK at Nissan's Sunderland plant. Nissan recently announced they will not be building their X-Trail SUV in the UK. Nissan is also rumored to be cutting Leaf and Qashqai production at the Sunderland plant. This follows recent moves by Honda and potentially BMW to end automobile production in the UK in fear of a no-deal Brexit.
In January, Infiniti's President Christian Meunier admitted the QX30 was a flop, but said that the model would continue on an all-Infiniti platform. The exit from Europe now puts those plans into question.
Infiniti will remain in Eastern Europe, North America, and China and will electrify most of its products by 2021.
Related:
Honda Confirms Swindon Closure
Nissan and BMW Could Pull Production from UK
LA Auto Show: Infiniti QX30
-3707742431.jpg.06edf8e14f4ccf35c60d4774a543cc11.jpg)
Recommended Comments
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.