Nissan's proposal to make Infinitis in China with Dongfeng currently awaiting NDRC approval, executive VP says

Gasgoo.com (Shanghai March 9) - Nissan has already sent an application to the National Development and Reform Commission regarding the establishment of a joint venture with Dongfeng Group to make Infinitis in China, and is currently awaiting the government's response, auto.sina.com.cn reported today. The news comes straight from Nissan Executive Vice President Andy Palmer, who made the statement at this month's International Geneva Motor Show.

Dr. Palmer (pictured) boldly stated that Nissan is China's top performing Japanese brand, and will be able to vie with European manufacturers in the country. In addition to the Infiniti brand, Nissan also has the Leaf electric and the Nismo Performance Division, as well as its standard models, to compete with them for increased share in the lucrative Chinese market.

China is Nissan's largest market worldwide. According to Dr. Palmer, the manufacturer sold a total of 1.2 million vehicles in China in 2011. However, despite relatively high brand awareness in the country, the majority of Nissan's sales are of automobiles with engine sizes of 1.6 L or smaller.

Generally speaking, Nissan employs the same marketing strategy as its European rivals, with one major exception. Nissan has gone out of its ways to make considerable inroads in the commercial vehicle market. This gives the manufacturer a major advantage at one end of the market. The increased presence of the Infiniti brand may help it at the other end. According to Dr. Palmer, Infiniti has performed strongly in China, with sales growth double that of some German brands. Infiniti's success has given Nissan a great deal of confidence in the brand's prospects in the country.

Dr. Palmer confirmed that there are plans within Nissan to produce vehicle in China, with the proposed joint venture between Infiniti and Dongfeng being a major step in that direction. His comments come at odds with previous statements from the manufacturer that there are no plans to produce Infinitis in China. Dr. Palmer was adamant that when the time comes to build a factory in China, it will certainly be done in partnership with Dongfeng. He said that further details would be revealed at the appropriate time.

When asked if Nissan would begin manufacturing Chinese-made Infinitis before rival Toyota with its Lexus brand, Dr. Palmer only stated that most of Nissan's accomplishments in China were done earlier than Toyota's.