Infiniti to Expand Sales Network in Europe and Italy

Infiniti has announced its intention to dramatically increase its network coverage in line with a fast growing product portfolio, which will include smaller engines and additional models, and a strategy to quickly raise awareness through a new multi-media brand campaign and ongoing partnership with Red Bull Racing.

New centers have been recently opened in France, Spain and Luxembourg and others are in plan in the key European markets. In Italy too the company's goal is to increase the current network, targeting where Infiniti is not currently represented but which show high potential for the brand.

Infiniti announced recently its intention to reach a 10% share of the global luxury car market by 2016 and is already preparing the ground for growth. The company recently launched its first hybrid petrol electric vehicle and, through a partnership with Mercedes-Benz, is now engineering four cylinder diesel and petrol engines to be launched in Italy next year. Beyond this, there are upgrades to existing models and entry into a new area of the market for Infiniti: the compact luxury segment with an innovative design influenced by the recent ETHEREA concept car and based on the latest small car platform from the Daimler group. By the end of 2016, Infiniti aims to be present in nearly all major segments of the luxury car market and with powertrains tuned for European needs.

Infiniti is also working towards a more environmentally friendly future. The Infiniti M Hybrid is not only the world's fastest accelerating full-hybrid, it is also amazingly fuel efficient for a car of its size and performance. At the recent Geneva Motor Show, Infiniti showed an electrifying new take on the sports car with the Emerg-e concept car. And within two years, the brand will bring to market what could be the world's first compact luxury zero emissions sedan.

In parallel, Infiniti recently launched a new Pan-European television campaign - a first for the brand in Europe. Furthermore, it is developing its partnership with the winning Red Bull Racing team to include more prominent branding and exchange of technical expertise. Plus Infiniti's Global Brand Ambassador, the Formula 1 World Champion Sebastian Vettel, has put his name to the FX Vettel Version, the Infiniti's flagship, to be produced in 200 units only and with first deliveries planned for the beginning of 2013. Already Infiniti can see its awareness growing across Europe as a result.

Since its European launch in 2008, Infiniti has opened a new dealership every two weeks somewhere in the region and has entered 20 markets. Italy was one of the very first to launch. Infiniti has so far operated here with the support of Fassina S.p.A., a reliable partner that strongly contributed to the brand's performance luxury positioning and to a successful launch in Italy. Over this period, Fassina completed the start up phase, opening five centres in Milan, Rome, Padua, Bologna, Florence. As intended from the very beginning, Infiniti Europe is now ready to welcome new partners to join the brand growth.

Recognizing the strong contribution of Fassina S.p.A. over the past years, Infiniti will continue to work closely with this strategic partner: from 2012, the Milan based Fassina company will focus on the Northern Italy car market, while new partners will join the expanding Infiniti dealer network elsewhere in the country.

"Tony and Ado Fassina supported the establishment of Infiniti brand in Italy with great passion and dedication, and I thank them for that and for the valuable support they will continue to give to Infiniti in this crucial growth phase. Italy has proved to be a key market for Infiniti and has the potential to deliver more. We're keen to open our business to new players operating in luxury sectors," commented Infiniti Europe and Middle East Vice President, Bernard Loire.

Infiniti is investigating the best options in terms of new partners for opening additional sites. A solid experience in the luxury car market and a strong commitment to deliver the high standards of Infiniti in terms of welcoming hospitality and attentive customer care will be key factors in the selection and appointment of new partners.

Aware of the importance of the Italian market for the growth of the brand in Western Europe, Infiniti will also reinforce its sales organization for this strategic market with new appointments. More news on this will be announced shortly.

About Infiniti
Infiniti, the luxury automotive brand from Japan, 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. For more information, see www.infiniti.com