Infiniti slashes prices

Infiniti has slashed at least $7500 from the price of its entire Australian model range, bringing savings of more than $13,000 on some models just a year after they were released.

As part of what the Japanese luxury brand describes as the second phase of its local market development plan and long-term growth strategy, the price “repositioning” is accompanied by drive-away pricing (including on-road charges) for customers who purchase a new Infiniti vehicle this month (September).

Biggest savings are reserved for customers of the Infiniti G Coupe S Premium, which is now more than $13,000 cheaper at $70,400 (manufacturer’s suggested retail price), or $79,207 drive-away.

The entry-level G37 Coupe GT now costs $64,400 plus on-road costs, while pricing for the G37 Convertible is now $10,000 lower at $77,900 plus ORCs, mirroring the prices of BMW’s 3 Series coupe and convertible range-openers.

Buyers of Infiniti’s BMW 5 Series-sized M sedan will save at least $9500, with the entry-level M37 now priced from $76,400 plus ORCs, the M30d diesel now costing $78,400 plus ORCs and the M35h HYBRID now at $90,400 plus ORCs, making it $9500 cheaper than its most direct rival, the Lexus GS450h. Premium versions of the M37 and M30d are $11,500 more affordable than before.

The third model in the local Infiniti range – until the all-new mid-size Q50 arrives late this year – also comes in for price cuts, with the large FX crossover now available from $76,400 plus ORCs (down $7500) in petrol V6 guise, with the diesel also $7500 cheaper at $78,400 and the top-shelf FX50S now on offer for $10,000 less, at $104,900 plus ORCs.

The new FX prices significantly undercut those of BMW’s X5, which will be replaced by an all-new model by the end of this year.

“Infiniti’s Australian launch in 2012 was characterised by opening the first Infiniti retail centres, releasing the first four models in our new-vehicle range and delivering a new level of customer service and hospitality,” explained Infiniti’s Australian general manager, Kevin Snell.

“Now we’re moving into the next stage where we fine-tune our offerings to accelerate our growth, introduce additional models such as the all-new Infiniti Q50 premium sports sedan, and expand our retail network.”

Infiniti has sold just 255 vehicles since it was launched in Australia last September, with 85 finding homes last year and 170 registered to July this year, including more than 100 FXs.

Motoring.com.au understands the price cuts are designed to shift existing stock of models before Infiniti embark on a model naming restructure in Australia, as we revealed exclusively last week.

The new model structure will see the G37 coupe and convertible range rebadged as the Q60 and the FX SUV line-up renamed the QX70 from October, while M sedan models will become known as Q70s from November.

The Q50 is a new mid-size sedan to replace the G sedan not sold here and is expected to become Infiniti’s biggest selling model after it arrives here in December, while the Nissan Patrol-based QX80 is a new range-topping SUV expected on sale later next year.

Further afield, Infiniti’s multi-billion-dollar product development program will result in an all-new small premium hatchback, the Q30.

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