Infiniti’s already small lineup is about to get somewhat smaller. Following the discontinuation of the old-ass Q50 sedan, the model is killing off its QX50 and QX55 crossovers on the finish of 2025, but it surely’s constructing sufficient of them to maintain sellers stocked for at the very least six months after that. That’ll give the model sufficient wiggle room till a brand new crossover arrives subsequent yr.
Infiniti shared and confirmed the information with its sellers throughout a latest assembly, Automotive Information experiences. Head of Nissan America’s product planning Ponz Pandikuthira mentioned the 2 fashions getting the axe is important for the model’s upmarket push:
In case you go right into a showroom and you’ve got vehicles just like the QX60, the QX80, the particular variations we have now deliberate — QX50 and QX55 begin wanting dated,” Pandikuthira instructed Automotive Information. “So we have now to make the powerful name to concentrate on the brand new lineup after which discuss concerning the new autos within the C and D segments within the subsequent couple of years.
Whereas the QX50 nameplate has been round since 2013, when the previous EX was renamed QX50, this present era of QX50 is its personal mannequin that first revealed in 2017. The QX55 adopted as a “coupe” model of the SUV in 2021, and neither one has acquired any significant updates since their debuts. Regardless of the lack of two fashions, Pandikuthira thinks the model can combat two fronts directly: Win prospects over with the three-row QX60, and herald new prospects with the QX65, a smaller entry degree crossover coupe coming subsequent yr. “You may lose among the very deal-focused, lower-end [consumers], however that’s actually not what we’re planning on doing with Infiniti as a model,” Pandikuthira instructed Auto Information.
It’ll be an uphill battle to convey prospects in, although. Infiniti’s gross sales have been down, and hardly anybody appears to know the QX50 and QX55 exist. QX50 gross sales have been up by 7.9 p.c in 2024, however the model nonetheless solely moved 10,722 models. QX55 gross sales have been even worse in 2024, down 31.3 p.c with simply 3,721 offered your entire yr.
These gross sales are most likely why Infiniti’s sellers stay skeptical. The model says that it’ll have sufficient left over QX50s and QX55s to carry sellers over till summer season 2026 regardless of manufacturing ending this December, however clearly that gained’t be sufficient. Sellers are hoping the upcoming QX60 refresh and new QX65 will give them the amount they desperately want, as one seller defined to Auto Information. “QX65 will assist us hold the amount the place it’s, which isn’t anyplace close to sufficient,” the seller mentioned. “We’d like a real automobile as an entry-level, one thing smaller off of the [Nissan] Rogue.”
As for the model’s different fashions, Pandikuthira says merchandise like the brand new QX80 are serving to the model transfer upmarket. Pandikuthira says that they anticipated to see QX80 prospects with annual incomes of “$300,000-to-$500,000,” however they’re seeing extra prospects with incomes of almost $1 million going for Infiniti’s flagship.
