ROLLE, Switzerland--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Infiniti has made its biggest footprint across Europe in history. The premium car manufacturer has announced record business results for the European markets for March and for the first quarter of 2016. More than 3,900 cars have been sold in Western Europe during March, a record month with an increase of 232% compared to March 2015. During the first quarter, the brand sold more than 6,000 vehicles across the continent, almost three times as much as in the same time period of the previous year. The strongest contributor to this result has been Q30, the all-new Infiniti premium active compact. Throughout EMEA (Europe, Russia, Middle East and Africa), Infiniti sold almost 10,000 vehicles, up 51% from Q1 of 2015. In line with the growth in sales, the company established more new dealerships at a record pace. In the last twelve months Infiniti opened 25 new Centers.
Best sales growth in history
In the first quarter, most
Infiniti vehicles were delivered to customers in the UK. For the first
time more than 1,340 cars were retailed – in the same quarter of the
previous year the figure was around 360. In France, sales went up to
1,359 cars in the first three months of 2016 versus 345 in the
respective period of 2015. During the month of March, almost 1,000
Infiniti cars were sold in the UK as well as in France, nearly five
times as many as in both markets in March 2015.
From January to March, Infiniti in Germany has almost tripled sales up to 863 in the first three months of 2016. In the Italian market, 570 vehicles were sold year-to-date. The Middle East is among the most successful regions for Infiniti globally, with more than 2,400 vehicles sold in the last three months, which accounted for the best ever sales figures for three consecutive months in Infiniti Middle East’s history.
Q30, the strongest contributor
Q30 has demonstrated its game
changer capabilities, being the bestselling Infiniti model in the region
since its market introduction. In the first quarter of 2016, the UK was
the strongest Q30 market with almost 1,000 vehicles sold, followed by
France where nearly 800 Q30s found their customers. In Germany as well
as in Italy more than 500 models of the Infiniti premium active compact
car have been sold so far. Nonetheless, Q50 keeps being popular.
Infiniti sold almost 10% more of its premium sports sedan from January
to March than in the same time period of the year before, putting more
than 1,300 cars on the continent’s roads. In France, Q50 sales figures
are as high as never before. 533 cars were sold in the last three
months, nearly twice as many as in Q1/2015. In the UK, the rise was 36%
to 376.
Record extension of Infiniti network
In the last twelve
months the company opened 25 new Infiniti Centers – more than ever
before in a single year. Infiniti in France is currently leading the
list, offering its cars through a network of 20 dealerships across the
country. In addition to this – starting from zero – Infiniti has signed
up a European-wide network of Authorized Service Partners in the last 52
weeks. As such, 38 Service Points ensure customers a quick and reliable
assistance and repair service.
François Goupil de Bouillé, Vice President of Infiniti Europe, Middle East and Africa emphasizes: “We are very proud to have almost tripled our sales in Europe in the first quarter and nearly reached the 10,000 sales mark in our entire EMEA region. Infiniti is becoming a serious contender in the European premium automotive market. Our Q30 premium active compact has initiated a period of accelerated growth with new models, like QX30 active crossover, the upgraded Q50 sedan and the brand-new Q60 sports coupe, joining the portfolio this year.”
Globally, Infiniti ended the first quarter of 2016 with exceptionally strong sales numbers. In March the brand achieved an all-time high record by selling more than 24,900 vehicles globally, an increase of 22% over March 2015. This marks the 19th consecutive month with global year-on-year growth. In the first quarter, Infiniti sold more than 57,200 vehicles, which surpasses the first quarter of 2015 by 9%. It is the best ever first quarter in Infiniti’s history worldwide.
ENDS
About Infiniti:
Infiniti Motor Company Ltd. is headquartered in Hong Kong with sales operations in over 50 countries. The Infiniti brand was launched in 1989. Its range of premium automobiles is currently built in manufacturing facilities in Japan, the United States, United Kingdom and China. Infiniti plans to also expand manufacturing into Mexico by 2017.
Infiniti design studios are located in Atsugi-Shi near Yokohama, London, San Diego and Beijing.
Infiniti is in the middle of a major product offensive. The brand has been widely acclaimed for its daring design and innovative driver-assistance technologies.
More information about Infiniti and its industry leading technologies can be found at www.infinitipress.eu and www.infiniti.eu. You can also follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and see all our latest videos on YouTube.