Infiniti News: Infiniti Admits QX50 Is Not Selling Well

[Drew Dowdell]

The QX50 was billed as the most important product in Infiniti's lineup this decade, however sales have not met expectations. Year to date sales through March for the QX50 were just 3,583 units. This contrasts starkly with the 12,830 units the larger and more expensive QX60 moved in the same time frame.

President of Infiniti Christian Meunier blamed the weak sales on a poor launch of the car due to production issues and a mix of product positioned too high in the market.  Infiniti is in the process of correcting the error with a new trim level and more options on the lower trim levels. 

The Infiniti QX50 is assembled at a new plant in Aguascalientes, Mexico run as a join venture between Nissan Motor Company and Daimler.  The plant has suffered from quality control issues and other production problems. 

Infiniti expect sales of the QX50 to turn around during the summer once the supply chain issues are sorted.

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[smk4565]

Well they don't advertise it much and it is a pretty forgettable looking vehicle.  It doesn't look all that different than a Mazda CX-5 of the same size that costs $10k less.

Not really sure how it is "priced too high for the market" when it is $5k cheaper than a GLC or X3.  Maybe people just don't care about Infiniti.

[riviera74]

The QX60 is bigger and better than the QX50.  Also, Infiniti could advertise it more (and have a $3K cash back offer).

[Drew Dowdell]

1 hour ago, smk4565 said:

Well they don't advertise it much and it is a pretty forgettable looking vehicle.  It doesn't look all that different than a Mazda CX-5 of the same size that costs $10k less.

Not really sure how it is "priced too high for the market" when it is $5k cheaper than a GLC or X3.  Maybe people just don't care about Infiniti.

It's not that it was priced too high for the market. It's that they were only building the expensive trims first.  It's the same mistake that GM made with the first gen SRX, they built a bunch of high option V8 models and very few V6 models, when it was the lower end that customers wanted at first.

You're right though about the QX50. There is nothing special about it.  Their variable compression turbo 4 didn't leave me thinking it was any better than a regular turbo 4.... and in fact it was noticeably less refined.

[caddycruiser]

Model mix is one thing. The package itself being unrefined, sloppily built, and feeling & looking old, is the rest.

Crossover market, no matter how plebeian, weird, or nasty under the skin & underhood you are, you'll still sell them (props to them then giving up, and saying model mix is the issue). No one can stand the engine, it's rough, it doesn't make smooth power, the CVT makes it worse, and it's not engaging. Comes off like a Rogue with a better interior design, and cool looks.

But...make cheaper ones, "with nav" because Infiniti can't sort out how to add CarPlay/Android Auto to their vehicles even though Nissan does, and keep a proper lease on them. Until then, it'll be a favorite of Infiniti service loaners and "we have a crossover too!" everywhere. Just don't drive it first.

[Drew Dowdell]

2 hours ago, caddycruiser said:

Model mix is one thing. The package itself being unrefined, sloppily built, and feeling & looking old, is the rest.

Crossover market, no matter how plebeian, weird, or nasty under the skin & underhood you are, you'll still sell them (props to them then giving up, and saying model mix is the issue). No one can stand the engine, it's rough, it doesn't make smooth power, the CVT makes it worse, and it's not engaging. Comes off like a Rogue with a better interior design, and cool looks.

But...make cheaper ones, "with nav" because Infiniti can't sort out how to add CarPlay/Android Auto to their vehicles even though Nissan does, and keep a proper lease on them. Until then, it'll be a favorite of Infiniti service loaners and "we have a crossover too!" everywhere. Just don't drive it first.

Why is infiniti's infotainment system still so bad? It's among the worst

[daves87rs]

It’s simply not worth the money.

Too bad though-it’s actually a nice looking car.....