Infiniti is the luxury vehicle division of the Japanese automaker Nissan Motor Company. The brand was launched in 1989 to compete with other Japanese luxury marques like Lexus (Toyota) and Acura (Honda). Essentially, when you buy an Infiniti, you are purchasing a vehicle from Nissan, albeit one designed with more premium materials, advanced technology, and often more powerful performance than its mainstream counterparts.
The relationship is similar to how Lexus operates under Toyota. Infiniti vehicles frequently share platforms, engines, and underlying components with Nissan models. For example, the popular Infiniti QX60 SUV is closely related to the Nissan Pathfinder. This shared engineering allows for cost-effective development while enabling Infiniti to focus on luxury refinements, such as superior sound insulation, higher-quality interior finishes, and unique styling.
Infiniti's global headquarters were moved from Japan to Yokohama, Japan, in 2022, consolidating its operations with Nissan's main offices. While Nissan is the sole owner, Infiniti has key manufacturing plants around the world, including in Japan and the United States.
| Supporting Data: Infiniti's Position & Key Models | |
|---|
| Parent Company Founding Year | 1933 (as Jidosha Seizo Co., Ltd.) |
| Infiniti Brand Launch Year | 1989 |
| Number of Models in Current U.S. Lineup | 4 (QX50, QX55, QX60, QX80) |
| Key Manufacturing Plant (for U.S. Market) | Nissan Smyrna Vehicle Assembly Plant, Tennessee (QX60) |
| Flagship SUV Horsepower (2024 QX80) | 450 hp |
| Best-Selling Model Globally (2023) | QX50 |
| Direct Competitor Brands | Lexus, Acura, Cadillac, Lincoln |
Despite being owned by Nissan, Infiniti has worked to establish its own distinct identity, particularly through design language and a focus on performance-oriented powertrains. Understanding this corporate structure is useful for consumers, as it often means Infiniti models can be serviced at Nissan dealerships (though for complex issues, an Infiniti-certified technician is recommended), and technology trends often trickle down from Infiniti to Nissan over time.
