Infiniti Americas vice president Tiago Castro outlined the company’s product calendar, which begins with the two-row QX65 SUV in 2026. In 2027, Infiniti may replace the Q50 with a manual-transmission, rear-wheel-drive sports sedan. A new hybrid small SUV with e-Power technology, available in Nissan models abroad, will be the top seller in 2028. Infiniti’s US sales dropped substantially from 2017’s peak of over 150,000 automobiles. Only 58,070 Infinitis found a residence in 2024, down 10% from 2023. The QX50 and QX55 were discontinued earlier this year, leaving the lineup with only two SUVs. Infiniti Americas vice president Tiago Castro presented at an Automotive Press Association press conference today at the Nissan Technical Center outside Detroit. Castro believes in doing more with less. He confesses that “we changed our approach towards the brand two times,” which dried up the product pipeline and placed Infiniti behind in the competitive premium market. He blamed Infiniti’s issues on inconsistent marketing and strategy. Castro disagrees with building a wide roster to fill every specialty. Instead, Infiniti will release one new car every year, focusing on filling market gaps or boosting the brand’s luxury status. Castro will offer only five to six vehicles in each category to focus on improving each car. Infiniti will make the QX65 at Nissan’s Smyrna, Tennessee, facility next year. The QX65 Monograph concept, shown in August, will have a similar structure to the three-row QX60 but a sleeker design like the 2000s FX without reducing luggage room. Castro said the QX65 will compete with SUVs like the Lexus RX and is almost ready for production. Suddenly, Infiniti plans to replace the Q50, which was discontinued in 2024, with a new sports sedan in 2027. Castro acknowledges that the sedan market has shrunk significantly since the 2014 debut of the Q50, but he still considers it a key product for the brand. We discovered the new automobile in August. Castro stated, “We had more comments about, ‘Bring back the Q50 or G35,'” despite Infiniti’s three SUV prototypes during Monterey Car Week. Castro thinks this new sedan will win back Infiniti’s loyal customers. Castro will not discuss the future car. Castro’s first US car was a manual-transmission rear-wheel-drive G35. Three pedals and rear-wheel drive are necessary to attract aficionados, he said. “I do think rear-wheel drive, perhaps the manual transmission, lots of horsepower, ability to perform in curves, those are all things we’re looking at,” Castro said. The August report said these parts will accompany a twin-turbo V-6. Castro said the car would likely be made abroad. The company’s most important car, a tiny Tennessee-built hybrid SUV, will debut in 2028. Castro said this two-row SUV will replace the QX50 and be built on the Nissan Rogue platform, but it will be very different. Already used elsewhere, Nissan’s e-Power system will charge the SUV’s electric motor battery. Castro believes the all-wheel-drive technology will give a premium vehicle quietness and performance. Infiniti announced plans for an electric SUV in the late 2020s earlier this year, although EVs are not included in the lineup. Castro replied that Infiniti is “still evaluating the right formula” for EVs and will offer more details soon. These launches may include more QX80 SUVs, whose sales have increased since the previous iteration was unveiled earlier this year. Infiniti exhibited the Terrain Spec and Track Spec during Monterey Car Week to test interest in a performance- or off-road-focused full-size SUV spin-off. Castro said 78% of dealers at a recent dealer convention in Las Vegas agreed to sell the Track Spec, but the company has not decided. Castro hopes these additional features will help Infiniti reach 100,000 units by 2029, its 40th anniversary. Castro says Nissan’s Smyrna and Canton, Mississippi, factories can help Infiniti accomplish its 2029 goal. Learn more about Infiniti’s QX65 return next Year.
