Infiniti reboots with 2 EVs, QX65 SUV, and redesigned QX80

On Tuesday, Infiniti announced its latest reboot to bolster sales.

In addition to a redesigned version of the QX80 full-size SUV expected for the 2025 model year, Nissan’s premium brand previewed a QX65 coupe-like crossover SUV, and teased two electric vehicles as a sedan and a crossover.

On the eve of the Japan Mobility Show, Infiniti showcased a Vision Qe concept that previews an electric sedan to be made at Nissan’s plant in Canton, Mississippi. In previous reports, Infiniti targeted a production ramp-up of 2025 for the brand’s first EV.

The fastback sedan concept sports Infiniti’s latest design direction, headlining a bowed grille in the shape of sunglasses, as well as light bar signatures on the front and rear. Massive wheels, a low profile and high beltline, as well as a fastback roofline that flows from the long hood into the upturned lip at the hatch reflect alluring concept style to serve as the fundamental basis for a production vehicle. There was also a QXe concept electric crossover in the shadows at the Vision Qe’s debut. 

A more life-like an imminent launch is the redesigned QX80 arriving next year. The truck-based SUV related to the Nissan Armada was previewed in QX Monograph concept form in August at Pebble Beach with more pronounced piano-key lighting, Lincoln-like wheel designs, and a promise of a more luxurious interior and tech to differentiate it from the Armada. 

Infiniti could use the new product line injection promised in Tokyo. 

While the brand has surged by 47.8% so far this year over last year, thanks in part to the QX60 three-row SUV redesigned for 2022, its year-to-date sales of 48,830 units are about half of what they had been for at least the decade preceding 2022. To put it into greater context, Infiniti keeps losing ground to other premium brands. The year-to-date sales are less than half of those of Acura (110,535) and Buick (124,868), more than 10,000 off Lincoln (59,441), and less than a quarter of annual Lexus sales (224,308).