The Infiniti QX-80 is Infiniti’s big luxury SUV. They’re using it to show that their vehicles are meant to feel good inside and drive well, not just look nice.
The Infiniti QX50 is a smaller luxury SUV compared with the QX60 and QX80. The podcast says there are only a limited number left available, which usually means it’s close to being replaced or phased out. It’s mentioned mainly to give a status update on what’s still on hand.
“Product renaissance” is basically Infiniti saying they’re going through a big new phase with their cars. They’re describing it like a multi-step plan with different “chapters.”
A manual transmission is the kind of car where you change gears yourself using a clutch and a shifter. Some drivers like it because it gives them more control.
An electrified powertrain means the car uses electricity to help move the vehicle—usually alongside a gas engine. The goal is typically better efficiency and smoother power delivery.
Hybrid electrification means the car uses both gas and electricity. The electric motor can help the car run more efficiently and sometimes drive with less fuel.
A frame-based vehicle has a strong metal “skeleton” underneath, and the rest of the car is attached to it. It’s often used for SUVs because it can be built tough for towing and rough roads.
“Body-on-frame” means the car’s main strength is in a separate undercar frame, and the body is mounted on top. SUVs built this way are usually designed to be sturdy for everyday family use and tougher conditions.
Platform sharing means different cars are built using the same basic “skeleton” and many parts. Automakers do this to save money and speed up development, while still making the cars feel different.
Car
Infiniti QX65
The Infiniti QX65 is one of Infiniti’s main luxury SUVs. The guest is saying this kind of model is important because it targets the biggest group of luxury buyers.
The Ford F-150 Lightning is an electric pickup truck. Instead of using gasoline, it runs on electricity from a battery. The podcast mentions it to point out that Ford got it to market faster than it used to take for big new vehicle programs.
A fastback SUV is an SUV that looks more “sporty” because the roof slopes toward the back. The concern is that the sloping shape can make the back seats or trunk less roomy, and they’re saying this one won’t.
“Design language” just means the brand’s recognizable style—how the cars look and what design features they share. They’re saying this new vehicle keeps that same look.
Powertrain diversification means the company plans to use more than one kind of drivetrain across its cars. Instead of only one engine style, they’re looking at several options for different markets and customer needs.
The Infiniti G37 IPL is a sportier version of the G37. The key point here is that it was fun because it had a manual transmission and rear-wheel drive.
The Kia Soul is a small crossover SUV with a unique, boxy look. It’s designed to be practical for daily driving while still feeling a bit different from typical cars. The podcast brings it up as an example of the kind of personality people like and wonder if it could appear in another type of vehicle.
“Covers off” means the car is officially shown for the first time. Before that, details are often kept under wraps.
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This is the Consumer Guide Car Stuff podcast.
Hey all, this is Jill Siminello and we are here in Nashville today for a special edition
of the Car Stuff podcast and we are here with Eric Ladoo who is the Vice President of
Infinity Americas and we're going to talk a little bit of infinity today.
So thank you for agreeing to meet with us.
Yeah, thanks for coming.
Yeah, I hear you had a really hard travel to get here today.
Yeah, about 30 minutes on the interstate.
That's about it.
Well, you know.
So welcome to town.
Rough travel, thank you.
It's good to be here.
So I just wanted to kick this off and talk a little bit about Infinity in general before
we dig into the QX-65.
And so just wanted to ask you, you know, Infinity has gone through a lot of reinventions, reincarnations,
you know, and I'm just wanting to get your insight a little bit on what does the brand
stand for today right now?
Yeah, the brand today is really what it's always been about, right, which is ultimate
luxury for our customers, an ownership experience that is like no other.
And that really gets delivered to the customer in many ways, whether it's through the product,
whether it's through our retail network, whether it's enjoying, you know, the interior of the
vehicle or the driving dynamics of our products.
So it really manifests itself in a lot of different places.
And to this day, even sitting here looking at, you know, a new QX-65 that's coming,
but we've got a QX-80 that delivers on all of those fronts I just mentioned.
And we got a QX-60 that does the same.
We got a few QX-50s and QX-50s left over.
We've only got about 60 of them left around the country, but obviously the days for that
vehicle are no longer, but they deliver it on that as well.
And so, you know, yes, we've had some iterations of products coming and going,
but the brand is very much still the same.
So speaking of comings and goings, so right now you have the QX-60, the QX-65,
which we're going to be talking about in QX-80, but you've got some new things on the horizon.
Yes.
So what can you tell me about what's coming?
So we have really, this is, the 65 is the continuation of our product renaissance.
So they call it chapter two, but we got a lot of chapters coming after that.
So next year we have a high-powered, high-performance V6 sedan coming
to be offered to the market, not only in automatic, but also in manual transmission,
which the enthusiasts are absolutely going to devour.
Not long after that, the year after, we come out with a midsize SUV sitting
and slotted below QX-65, lots of volume to be done there.
So super excited about that being developed in all-wheel drive with a electrified powertrain,
right, some sort of hybrid electrification for us.
And then beyond that, we continue to build on that momentum with frame-based vehicles
that are being developed as we sit here today on a family of five vehicles,
that three of which will be Nissan's, two of which will be Infiniti's.
So we are right smack in the heart of not only the market with the next couple of years in terms
of what we're bringing to the market, but also continuing to develop some really exciting products.
So that's a lot. You're talking about a sedan, you're talking about body on frame SUVs.
Who would you say that your customer is?
Our customer is, well, it really depends on the product, right? So think about a QX-60 customer
today who is likely has family, a need for that third row, a very full agenda and lifestyle.
And now we bring in QX-65 that doesn't have the third row,
but it might be an empty nester either before they start a family or an empty nester before
or after they've had their family. So every product kind of plays a little bit of a different role.
When we're done with that product renaissance that was just sharing with you over the next few years,
we feel like we'll have about 85 to 90 percent of the luxury market covered.
So how are you going to be differentiating yourself from Nissan moving forward?
You know, the one thing that's very clear to us is we are very much a luxury
brand that is in reach, right? Today, think about our vehicles, right? Full-size luxury SUV
starting in the 80s, going well into the hundreds, a mid-size SUV starting in the 50s,
going into the 60s. That's very, very competitive. And then when you start to look at what you can
actually buy for the money in each of our different executions, the value for the
Infinity brand is very much there. And we'll continue to deliver that. If you look at the Nissan brand,
comparatively speaking, obviously priced very differently and much wider price band. And in
their case, right, starting at, and I believe in the mid-20s, right? So very different socioeconomically,
the product offering is very different. That being said, our playbook going forward is very
much about platform sharing, right? And we believe that in order to do that, you have a healthy brand
with Nissan, you have a healthy brand with Infinity, and they need one another to make those platforms
make sense as we invest in the future. That makes complete sense to me. So what would you say the
two or three most important pillars of the Infinity brand are that are shaping this strategy as
you're moving forward? Yeah. So number one, without question, you know, be where the customers are.
So QX65, now going into the heart of the market where we have about, I think, 40 to 41 percent
of all buyers, and you'll see this tomorrow, you know, as you sit down with our team,
that is where all the volume is. So be where the customers are. So QX80 is definitely where the
customer are, QX60 is definitely where the customer are, QX65 is where the customers are.
And next year, by the way, with this performance sedan, there's a segment of luxury that wants
A sedan, B performance. So be there as well. And then year after that, you come out with a
we come out with a midsize SUV sitting below QX65. A lot of volume to be done is down there as well.
So it's really about being where the customer is. And that's why I talked about coverage a little bit
ago, that we believe that really for us to be viable and healthy in the long term, not only for
ourselves, but also for Nissan, that being in the heart of the market is really important.
And I think in today's automotive industry, we think platform sharing is really one of the
results of that decision making is in order to go forward, you have to be able to share that
investment with other brands. So as you are, I don't want to say pivoting, Tom hates that word.
But as you are making these big changes, what obstacles do you have that you see and how are
you overcoming them? Right now, I would say the biggest obstacle we've had and it's really
over the last few years is time. How quickly can we get this QX65? How quickly can we get this
this high performance sports sedan and then the SUV behind that and then the frame-based vehicles
behind that. But we've been able to bring some of these vehicles to market. When it's all said
and done, this high performance sedan is going to end up coming into market in under 30 months.
That is, for us, lightning speed versus what used to be four to five years. So to me, I'd say the
biggest obstacle is time, especially as the competition is becoming more and more nimble.
We have to be able to be nimble with it and being able to deliver and develop products on a faster
cadence and react to the marketplace and what their needs are, I think is what I'm really proud
of the company for being able to pull off and we're the beneficiaries of that. So time is the
obstacle. What does success look like when you get there? What is success going to be for
Infinity? Yeah, I think success is one of two things. One is that we are absolutely a pillar to
Nissan's future. A healthy Nissan exists with a healthy Infinity and vice versa. And so that,
to me, is paramount. As a matter of fact, our CEO stated that last week. He stated five key pillars
around the company's future, one of those pillars being an absolutely healthy and vibrant luxury
brand in Infinity. So to me, that really is what success looks like as being part of that future
equation where Infinity can't see itself without Nissan. Nissan can't see itself without Infinity.
That makes sense. Okay, so moving to QX65 more specifically, this kind of is, I think, a different
vehicle for you and that it is a fastback SUV. It definitely has sporty proportions. So is this
kind of helping to set the tone moving forward or what is this vehicle for? So don't let the design
language fool you. And what I mean by that is you're going to see tomorrow a beautiful fastback
vehicle that has amazing proportion, that has very much continuation of our design language.
But there is a ton of functionality in this vehicle. There's tons of space in this vehicle,
both in the back row, but also in cargo space. So what I would say versus maybe other fastback
executions, either from the competition or even in our history, that may have been, you feel like
you're giving up a little bit of utility and convenience by having a fastback, that won't be
the case with this car at all. This SUV absolutely will deliver not only in looks, but also in its
ability to, you know, to hold people and hold cargo. So I haven't been in it yet. So looking
forward to tomorrow, but I know one of the complaints that people see with fastback vehicles
often is that adult-sized adults, I'm not an adult-sized adult, I'm about five feet tall.
So like taller adults would have problems fitting in the back.
So think back to our heritage, right? 2003, we brought out the all-new Infinity FX, quite honestly,
that not only inspires today's design language, but also created a whole new segment.
That vehicle, to your point, was not the easiest if you were a tall human being to get in and out of
the back. You will see tomorrow, and we actually last week, we had our offline ceremony at Smyrna
Assembly here down the road, and there were four of us that got in the vehicle to drive it off the
line, and the two gentlemen who were behind me were really tall and really like just kind of big
dudes. They were sitting back there. They could almost cross their legs. That's how comfortable
they were. So super comfortable, lots of space in the second row, and then, oh, by the way,
behind them plenty of room for luggage and anything else you want to take with you.
Because that's a question I get asked a lot. They're like, I see you sitting back there,
but how does everybody else fit? You will be very comfortable in the back seat tomorrow.
I'm going to be lounging. You will be able to loung. 100%.
So you currently are putting the turbocharged four-cylinder engine in the QX65. Do you have any
plans to bring any other powertrains to this vehicle? Yeah, so first of all, VC Turbo done
amazing work with the engineers to tune it to the appropriate levels that the design would
suggest. And what I mean by that is, to your point, sporty vehicle, fun to drive, you're going
to experience that tomorrow. Plenty of torque, really responsive. In terms of looking at other
powertrains, we're always looking at other powertrains, right? Whether it's bigger displacement,
whether it's electrification, whether it's hybrids, you know, that's part of our announcement last
week was actually to really simplify the Nissan's lineup around the world, including, of course,
Infinities. And to take that extra R&D and really pour it into powertrain diversification. So we're
always looking. We're always looking to see whether it makes sense either in the current vehicles
that we have. Maybe sometimes it's performance derivatives. Maybe it's something that we're
hearing from the market that they want in the vehicle, a little bit of both. So yeah, always
looking. Don't have anything to share today, but we will continue to be looking. And if there's
something in this vehicle a few years from now that might not be the same as today or maybe as
an alternative to today's engine, don't be surprised. Got it. I like don't be surprised. It's
way better than that we don't talk about future product comments. So thank you. So you have,
as you've said, a couple of hybrids coming out, body on frame vehicles coming out, sedan,
sports sedan with a manual transmission. Thank you for that coming out. What do you think is
going to be the most compelling of these things that you're bringing out for the Infiniti brand?
I think in the short term, of course, QX-65 because of its importance to the showroom and
importance to the marketplace. And again, four out of every 10 buyers in the luxury space is in
that space. So very compelling. But for a different reason, I think to me the sports sedan right
behind this thing, I mean, the heritage of this brand is all about fun to drive performance.
And there will be plenty of that in space on this vehicle. So I think,
you know, I'll call it in the near term, that'll be compelling for a whole different
set of reasons. But back to my comment earlier on, there is a part of the market that,
matter of fact, there was just an article I think I read yesterday talking about just
the younger people kind of want sedans. They don't want what mom and dad drove or are driving
or both. And so I could see a resurgence of sedans coming back. And oh, by the way,
in some cases, sedans coming back also for affordability, right? So now we don't,
in luxury, we don't have to worry as much about affordability, but you still want to be able
to bring something that's packed with value to the consumer for a certain price. We think that
the sedan will be able to do that. Yeah, I have to say, like pulling back into my personal archives,
one of the most memorable vehicles I've ever driven was the Infinity G37 IPL with the manual
transmission. Rear wheel drive, so much fun. So will we see that kind of like heart and soul
end up in the sports sedan? Yes, yes. You'll see, matter of fact, one of the things we're talking
about is what to name this vehicle, right? We still haven't named it. Okay. But what should
it hold in terms of its nameplate out there? And what promises should that name make when
you bring it to market? And so yeah, you're going to have a lot of that dynamics in the vehicle.
Like I said, at least 400 horsepower, a rear wheel drive performance sedan,
it'll be a lot of fun to drive. All wheel drive be available? Nope. Okay. No, right now the plan
is rear wheel drive. Okay. And when is the date range of when you might be naming this vehicle?
That's a good question. I don't even know the answer to that question. But by the time we
take the covers off the vehicle, which would probably be sometime around this time next year,
we would think we'll have named it by then for sure. Okay. Well, as we wrap this up,
is there anything else that you want to say about the Infinity brand or, you know, the outlook or
what what you have in your in your pocket moving? Yeah, you know, we've talked about it a lot. I
hope you can sense my excitement. Infinity is back, right? And infinity is back in many,
many ways. And to be able to sit here today knowing that we got this exciting new product coming out
in the next few weeks, and then knowing that we're just getting warmed up is super exciting. So
yeah, Infinity is back. Awesome. Well, thank you so much for your time today, Eric. And we are
going to look forward to see what's in the works and what's coming. And I'm personally,
especially going to be looking forward to the new sedan with the manual transmission. Absolutely.
All right. Thank you. You bet. Remember to check us out at consumerguide.com. The Car Stuff
podcast is produced by J-Turn Media. To advertise on the show, please drop us a line at Car Stuff
at consumerguide.com.
About this episode
Eric Ledieu, Infiniti Americas VP, lays out what the brand is aiming to be today: “ultimate luxury” with an “ownership experience that is like no other.” The conversation moves from the QX-65—described as a “fastback SUV”—to Infiniti’s broader rollout strategy, including platform sharing with Nissan, targeting high-volume QX segments, and managing “time” as the biggest obstacle. Ledieu also teases a rear-wheel-drive performance sedan and a future V6 sedan with a manual option.
In this special bonus episode of the Car Stuff Podcast, Jill sits down with Vice President of INFINITI Americas Eric Ledieu for a conversation about the all-new QX65 fastback luxury crossover, Future Infiniti products, and a possible resurgence in buyer interest in sedans.
How will Nissan and Infiniti differ moving forward? Listen in for details.
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