Infiniti eyes 10% share in China's luxury car market

Shanghai December 28 (Gasgoo.com) Infiniti, the luxury brand of Nissan Motor Co Ltd (7201.T), eyes 10% market share in the luxury vehicle segment in China, and plans to further increase that proportion in the next few years, Toru Saito, vice president of Nissan Motor Co. said in an interview with Yangtze River Business during the eighth Guangzhou International Auto Show. 

Infiniti has showcased its full portfolio for the first time in China at the show, showing its intention to speed up expansion into the world's biggest auto market, which is now the Japanese brand's second largest and fast-growing market, according to Toru Saito.

Entering the Chinese market three years ago, Infiniti's year-to-date sales surged more than 100% to 11,000 units compared to 2009, already completing its full-year sales target of 10,000 vehicles. Credit should be given to the two 2.5L models: the G25 and EX25, introduced early this year, Toru Saito said.

With regard to new products and development of advanced technology, the vice president said Infiniti would take the next step in improving the fuel economy of its existing models and import more small-displacement, electric and hybrid models to China.

Infiniti currently has 25 franchised outlets in China and will double that number next year. However, Takeshi Kawakita, general manager of Nissan (China) Investment Co., Ltd. said at least 100 dealerships will be needed considering the brand's long-term development in the country, adding that the goal is expected to be achieved in three to five years.