Infiniti's "Style" Era Awaits Taylor Swift's Approval

Infiniti's "Style" Comeback Era Begins

Okay Swifties gather 'round. So Infiniti is trying to shake it off... their sales slump that is. They just dropped a new midsize luxury SUV called the QX65 and it's got that whole 'new chapter' vibe. Eric Ledieu VP of Infiniti Americas is saying it 'accelerates INFINITI into its next era.' Sounds like a lyric waiting to happen right? I might just have to write a song about it maybe something about redemption arcs and roaring engines. It's like they're saying 'Long live all the mountains we moved,' but now they need to move some cars. I do have an album to finish but I might squeeze time to test drive this car.

From "Style" to "Teardrops on My Guitar" Sales Figures

Here's where it gets a bit 'All Too Well' for Infiniti. They hit a high note in 2017 selling 153,000 vehicles in the U.S. But last year? Only a third of that. Ouch. According to Haig Partners sales have been dropping almost every year since. It's like watching a melody fade and nobody wants that. While we're talking about the economy and small businesses it's important to recognize the pressure everyone is under. I wonder what small business owners in the car industry are doing and thinking with the economy? Maybe this Infiniti car will help them out with sales somehow. It is always important to be aware of the economic uncertainty that small business owners are currently facing in these difficult times which can be further researched at Small Business Owners Grapple with Economic Uncertainty. It's giving me 'Teardrops on My Guitar,' but let's hope the QX65 changes that tune.

Lexus and Acura are NOT in the Woods

Meanwhile over at Toyota's luxury brand Lexus sales are climbing and Acura's doing alright too. It's like they're all 'Fearless' while Infiniti's feeling a bit 'Out of the Woods.' Stephanie Brinley from S & P Global Mobility calls it a 'product lull' for Infiniti mentioning that Nissan's been busy. But hey even 'the best of us must sometimes make mistakes,' right? (That's a lyric BTW.) They are now fighting to come out of the woods.

The QX65's Blank Space to Fill

So the QX65 is Infiniti's shot at filling that 'Blank Space.' It's a midsize SUV hitting a huge market in the U.S. and it's priced at $53,990 – less than the average luxury midsize vehicle. Smart move Infiniti. They even brought in NFL stars Rob Gronkowski and Julian Edelman for the launch in New York City. Talk about 'King of My Heart' marketing. Maybe they are looking to fill the blank space by becoming the king of our heart.

Throwback to the "Style" FX Era

Brinley says the QX65 is channeling the spirit of Infiniti's old FX line of SUVs from the early 2000s. '[Those vehicles] were terrific,' she said. 'They were super stylish they were performance oriented and still just really cool and really vibrant.' Sounds like they're trying to bring back that 'Style' era literally. Honestly it sounds like something I'd write a song about. The throwback songs are always the best.

Turnaround Time: One Vehicle at a Time

Infiniti's planning to release one vehicle a year for the next five years which is a slower pace. Brinley hopes they can turn things around but knows it will take time. The QX65 is set to be made in Smyrna Tennessee and should be at retailers this summer. Here's hoping Infiniti can 'Begin Again' and drive off into a brighter future. And who knows maybe I'll see one backstage at my next concert... in my wildest dreams. If they play their cards right this could be the beginning of something beautiful.