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.May 19, 2004
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This Week:

• The Best of Both Worlds: Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Production in Woking

• Toyota's Calty Design Opens Satellite Studio in Ann Arbor

• Porsche names official importers for India and Yemen

• Nissan Korea Unveils Infiniti Launch Strategy

• BMW Advertising Award Presented For The First Time

• Ford Motor Company Elects Wagner Vice President

• Honda Releases New 8-Passenger Elysion Minivan

• Magna and DaimlerChrysler Corporation Sign Agreement Concerning New Venture Gear

• Mazda Reports Strong FY2003 Results

• Volkswagen Touareg: Germany's most popular luxury class SUV

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Nissan Korea Unveils Infiniti Launch Strategy

Infiniti Web site launches today ahead of model introductions in mid-2005
 

G35

Photo: Nissan

Seoul, South Korea - Nissan Korea Ltd. today unveiled the launch plans for its luxury Infiniti brand in the South Korean market. Nissan Korea, established in February 2004, will introduce five Infiniti models to the market starting in mid-2005. This is the first time that the Infiniti brand will be launched in a dedicated sales network outside of North America, and represents the first step in the luxury brand's global expansion.

Nissan Korea will introduce its Infiniti lineup in mid-2005 with the G35 sport sedan and sport coupe, the Q45 luxury sedan, as well as the M35 and M45 sedans, which will be based on the concept debuted at the 2004 New York International Auto Show. The FX35 and FX45 premium crossover SUVs will follow later in the same year.

Infiniti has enjoyed an excellent reputation for unique contemporary design, athletic performance and top-ranking customer service ever since it was first launched in the U.S. and Canada in 1989. Last year, Infiniti achieved the highest ranking in J.D. Power's annual CSI (Customer Satisfaction Index) study of the US luxury automobile market. For the last two years, Infiniti has been the fastest growing luxury brand in the US.

Nissan Korea is currently seeking Infiniti dealer candidates, and plans to appoint between two and three dealers before the scheduled mid- 2005 product launch. The independently owned and operated dealers will offer one-stop services covering sales, aftersales and spare parts.

"Nissan Korea will be an important driver of NISSAN Value-Up, our newly announced three-year business plan. We are convinced that Infiniti, following its success in the fiercely competitive US market, will strongly appeal to Korean luxury vehicle customers," said Toshiyuki Shiga, senior vice president of Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.

Kenneth L. Engberg, president of Nissan Korea, added: "Korea's imported car market is expected to more than double within five years. Once our Infiniti dealer network becomes fully operational, we expect to achieve sales volumes similar to other leading luxury brands."

Nissan Korea opened its Web site - (www.infiniti.co.kr) - today for Korean customers. The Web site will help satisfy potential Infiniti customers' curiosity about the new luxury brand and also provide the company with important customer feedback.

Last month, Nissan's President and CEO Carlos Ghosn announced that the company plans to expand the Infiniti brand to Japan, China, Russia and at a later stage Western Europe, following its launch in the Korean market.

(May 12, 2004)