Infiniti Announces New Naming Strategy

• Infiniti models from the 2014 model year to carry Q or QX prefix
• New nomenclature symbolizes new brand direction and the commitment to Infiniti under the leadership of Johan de Nysschen
• The use of Q & QX captures the inspiration within the next generation of Infiniti models, while relating back to Infiniti's roots of the Q45
• New premium sports sedan to launch at the North American International Auto Show in January will be first Infiniti to carry new Q badge

HONG KONG - Marking another significant step in its plan to further expand its presence in the premium automotive sector, Infiniti today announced details of a new nomenclature strategy to be applied to its complete product range beginning with the 2014 model year. The first model to carry Infiniti's new Q badge will be the Q50, an all-new premium sports sedan to be unveiled at the North American International Auto Show in January 2013.

The premium automotive brand will see its model range simply prefixed either by Q – for sedans, coupes and convertibles, or QX, for crossover and SUV models. Each model will be further identified by a double digit representing hierarchy within the range.

This strategic change reflects Infiniti's desire for clarity and cohesiveness as it embarks on ambitious growth plans, including significant expansion of the Infiniti portfolio.

Commenting on the revised naming philosophy, Johan de Nysschen, President of Infiniti Motor Company Limited, said: "Over the past few months, we have talked at length with our retailers, our customers, and our business partners about our brand. The need for a new identity and direction to promote consumer familiarity with our model range as we expand the portfolio became evident. To achieve this, we clearly needed a simple and consistent nomenclature framework. After exhaustive research and evaluation, we concluded that 'Q' captured the inspiration within the next generation of Infiniti models, as well as emphasizing our performance credentials while harking back to our heritage with the Q45 – Infiniti's first iconic flagship product in 1989."

Infiniti's new nomenclature strategy will be implemented in logical stages within the existing product range, as 2014 model year variants are introduced. The brand's future plans include a range of next-generation Infiniti models that will carry Q and QX badging from the outset.

About Infiniti:
Infiniti, the premium automotive brand, reflects its brand promise "Inspired Performance" with a model line-up of sedans, coupes, SUVs and crossovers featuring exhilarating performance, emotive design and cutting edge technology. Infiniti continues to launch across the globe through a dedicated network of Infiniti Centers that share a commitment to exceptional hospitality throughout the entire period of ownership.

Infiniti was launched in 1989 in the United States. Infiniti's global footprint expanded into Canada in 1990, Taiwan in 1997, the Middle East in 2004, Korea in 2005 and Russia in 2006. Global expansion continued in 2007 with Infiniti Centres opening in the Ukraine and in one of the world's fastest growing luxury automotive markets, China. In 2008 Infiniti launched in Western and Central Europe, which has added 19 additional markets. Infiniti is sold globally in 47 markets to-date.

Since May 2012, Infiniti Motor Company Ltd.'s new global headquarters is situated in Hong Kong, headed by Johan de Nysschen as President of Infiniti on 1 July.

Red Bulls Dish Up Days Of Speed In Bologna

BOLOGNA, Italy – The area around Bologna in Italy area has a pretty rich racing history, what with motorcycle manufacturer Ducati hailing from the heart of the city and the cars of a certain scarlet-hued outfit emerging from up the Autostrada in Maranello, but not since the days when nearby Imola hosted grands prix have the people of Emilia-Romagna been treated to two full-on days of F1 action.

That will change this weekend, however, when Red Bull Racing and Scuderia Toro Rosso fire up the engines of a couple of cars at the Red Bull Speed Days in the city.

The event is being staged as part of the 37th Bologna Motor Show and from tomorrow until Sunday evening, motor racing fans will be treated to a riot of Red Bull motor racing machinery being put through its paces at the Bologna Fiere.

Top of the list, of course, are the F1 cars, and David Coulthard will be on hand to put the Red Bull Racing RB6 through its paces, while Daniel Ricciardo will give Toro Rosso’s home fans a treat by blasting around the course in this year’s STR7.

The Bologna bash will be just the latest stop on the two drivers’ hectic schedules. David will jet in tomorrow straight from the FIA Gala Prize-Giving tonight where, as MC of the ceremony, he will hand Sebastian his third consecutive F1 Drivers’ Championship trophy and present Christian Horner with our third Constructors’ trophy in a row. Daniel, meanwhile, will arrive fresh from driving the Red Bull Racing RB7 in a massive show car run in Buenos Aires, Argentina last weekend.

DC and Dan won’t be the only Red Bull athletes feeling the need for speed, however. Fans will also get to see recently-crowned nine-time WRC champion Sébastien Loeb give his Citroën DS3 WRC car a good pasting, while Drift king Aleksandr Grinchuk will demonstrate the art of driving sideways very fast in his Red Bull Nissan 350Z.

Double WRC champion and Dakar winner Carlos Sainz will also be in attendance, as will world champion stunt-rider Chris Pfeiffer. Fans will also be able to get up close and personal with a Team Phoenix Audi R8 Le Mans contender and the Red Bull NASCAR car.

Not content with all that? Then how about rounding it off with the world finals of the Red Bull Kart Fight. This is the culmination of a global selection process that stretched from Russia to the USA, from Japan to Portugal. Now, the 20 finalists will gather at the Speed Days event to battle for the Kart Fight world title.